The HORN International Institute for Strategic Studies hosted a webinar Israel’s Recognition of Somaliland: Interests, Prospects, and Risks for the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea Region, which brought together regional policy analysts, diplomats, and security practitioners to examine the security and geopolitical implications of Israel’s recognition of Somaliland.
Key findings highlighted that Somaliland’s recognition remains contested between legal norms and political realities, despite its governance record and stability. Israel’s interests were mainly linked to Red Sea maritime security, strategic positioning in the Horn of Africa, and its capacity to project military and intelligence influence across the Red Sea–Gulf of Aden region. Participants also noted that recognition could strain Somalia’s internal cohesion and weaken counterterrorism coordination, particularly intelligence-sharing between Hargeisa and Mogadishu. The discussions also pointed to rising geopolitical competition and increased external involvement in the region.