On Israel’s recognition of Somaliland’s independence. By Özgür Altınbaş On December 26, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that he “recognizes Somaliland,” the separatist administration in Somalia, as an independent state. Netanyahu signed the recognition during a video call with Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi. Many organizations and countries, including the African Union (55 countries), reacted to the decision. Retired ...