Washington -The controversy followed remarks by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a close ally of former U.S. President Donald Trump, who stated that Israel would be the first country to recognize Somaliland, the self-declared entity that unilaterally declared independence from Somalia in 1991 after the collapse of the central government.

When asked by the press about the possibility of U.S. recognition of Somaliland, Donald Trump responded bluntly with “no,” further questioning Somaliland’s international status by asking whether anyone truly knows what Somaliland is. His response highlighted the lack of international consensus and legitimacy surrounding such claims.

Netanyahu’s statement was met with strong rejection at both regional and international levels. Several countries and international organizations reaffirmed that Somaliland remains an integral and inseparable part of the Federal Republic of Somalia, in line with international law and established global norms.

While the claim placed pressure on some states that have remained silent, it also underscored the broad international commitment to Somalia’s territorial integrity and the rejection of unilateral actions that risk destabilizing the region.