The deterioration of relations between Turkiye and Israel has now extended beyond the borders of the Middle East and reached the Horn of Africa following Israel’s decision to recognize Somaliland as a sovereign state. Last week, Israel became the first country to formally recognize Somaliland, describing the move as being in the spirit of the Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between Israel and a few Arab states. However, the decision sparked strong criticism from Turkiye and several regional powers, including Egypt and Saudi Arabia, which warned that it could destabilize the Horn of Africa.

Somaliland unilaterally declared independence from Somalia in 1991 following the collapse of the central government after the civil war. But it has failed to gain recognition from either the UN or the African Union. The Somali government continues to reject Somaliland’s independence, considering it an integral part of its territory, and views any direct engagement with Somaliland as a violation of its sovereignty and unity.

Following the Israeli move, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohammed traveled to Ankara to meet his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Although it was a scheduled visit, it took place at a highly critical moment. Turkiye is Somalia’s closest partner in the region and has invested heavily in the country for more than a decade through its political, military, humanitarian and development institutions. High-level leadership diplomacy and strong people-to-people........

© The Frontier Post (Editorial)