Ammon News - Israel became the first country to formally recognise the self-declared Republic of Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state on Friday a decision that could reshape regional dynamics and test Somalia's longstanding opposition to secession.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would seek immediate cooperation with Somaliland in agriculture, health, technology and the economy. In a statement, he congratulated Somaliland's president, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, praised his leadership and invited him to visit Israel.

Netanyahu said the declaration "is in the spirit of the Abraham Accords, signed at the initiative of President Trump."

Netanyahu, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar and Somaliland's president signed a joint declaration of mutual recognition, the Israeli statement said.

Abdullahi said in a statement that Somaliland would join the Abraham Accords, calling it a step toward regional and global peace. He said Somaliland was committed to building partnerships, boosting mutual prosperity and promoting stability across the Middle East and Africa.

But Somalia's government condemned Israel's move as an "unlawful step" and a "deliberate attack" on its sovereignty, rejecting any recognition of Somaliland, according to a statement from the prime minister's office.

Reuters