Israel on Friday became the first country to recognize the Republic of Somaliland as an independent state, more than three decades after the African region broke away from Somalia, with the Muslim nation saying it aspired to join the Abraham Accords.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar signed the declaration for Israel, while Somaliland’s President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi signed for his country, which sits in a key strategic region in the Horn of Africa.

While no other countries have formally recognized it, several states — including the UK, Ethiopia, Turkey, the UAE, Denmark, Kenya and Taiwan — maintained liaison offices, and the Trump administration has signaled in recent months that it could change its stance on the breakaway region. However, the Friday announcement sparked anger among several regional powers who accused Israel of undermining the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia.

Speaking to Abdullahi by phone, Netanyahu said the friendship between the countries was “seminal and historic.”

“We intend to work together with you on economic fields, on agriculture, in the fields of social development,” Netanyahu said.

Netanyahu invited Abdullahi for an official visit to Israel. Abdullahi said he will come “as soon as possible,” according to the Israel statement.”

Netanyahu’s office also released a video showing him speaking to Abdullahi by telephone.

“I want you to know that I am signing now as we speak Israel’s official recognition of the Somaliland,” Netanyahu tells Abdullahi, adding that the new relationship would offer economic opportunities.

“I am very, very happy and I am very proud of this day and I want to wish you and the people of Somaliland the very, very best,” he said.

Netanyahu said the declaration “is in the spirit of the Abraham Accords, signed at the initiative of [US] President [Donald] Trump.”

The 2020 accords were brokered by Trump’s first administration and included Israel formalizing diplomatic relations with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, with other countries, including Morocco, joining later.

The agreement with Morocco was followed by Israel........

© The Times of Israel