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Israel became the first nation to recognize Somaliland as a sovereign state on Friday, a move that was met with criticism from international observers who questioned its continued unwillingness to recognize a Palestinian state.

Somaliland, a breakaway region in the north of Somalia that is home to more than 6 million people, declared independence in 1991, but until now, no United Nations member states have recognized its claim.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described his government’s recognition of the territory as being “in the spirit of the Abraham Accords,” a deal brokered by US President Donald Trump for Israel to normalize relations with some of its Arab neighbors, which has itself been accused of disregarding the issue of Palestinian sovereignty.

Speaking over a video call with Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, the president of Somaliland, Netanyahu said he was signing “Israel’s official recognition of Somaliland and its right of self-determination,” calling the friendship between the two nations “seminal and historic.”

WATCH: Announcing Israel's official recognition of the Republic of Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state, Netanyahu praises Somaliland President Dr. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdallah on his commitment to promoting stability and peace

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