Somaliland’s Foreign Relations: Who Works With Somaliland, and How

Most countries do not recognise Somaliland as a state. Yet a visitor to Hargeisa will find foreign offices, aid projects and a Dubai-run port on the coast. This guide looks at Somaliland foreign relations in practice, partner by partner. It describes what each government has said and done, with dates.

Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 and governs itself. Somalia regards it as part of its territory. Israel (December 2025) is so far the only UN member state to recognise it. For the arguments on both sides, read the recognition section of Somaliland vs Somalia.

Somaliland foreign relations at a glance

Here are the main partners and positions, as of October 2026.

Country or body	Relationship	Representation	Key dates
Israel	Recognises Somaliland	Somaliland embassy in Jerusalem; Israeli non-resident ambassador	26 Dec 2025; 15 Jun 2026
Ethiopia	Trade corridor; 2024 MoU	Consulate in Hargeisa	1 Jan 2024; Dec 2024
UAE	DP World runs Berbera port	Commercial office in Hargeisa	2016; 2021
Taiwan	Reciprocal offices	Offices in Hargeisa and Taipei	Aug and Sep 2020
United Kingdom	Aid and engagement; no recognition	UK Office in Hargeisa	2022; 2026
United States	Security contacts; no change in policy	Somaliland liaison office in Washington	29 Dec 2025; Oct 2026
European Union	Supports Somalia’s territorial integrity; encourages dialogue	Envoy visits	27 Dec 2025
Kenya	Political contacts	Liaison office in Hargeisa	Dec 2020; May 2025
Djibouti	Neighbour; supports Somalia’s unity	Consulate in Hargeisa	May 2025
Turkey	Supports Somalia; mediator	Consulate general in Hargeisa	Dec 2024; Dec 2025
Somalia, AU, Egypt	Reject recognition	–	26 Dec 2025

According to its government, Somaliland has representatives in more than 20 countries.

Somaliland foreign relations with Ethiopia: neighbour and trade corridor

In Somaliland foreign relations, Ethiopia matters for a simple reason: it is landlocked, and Berbera is one of its routes to the sea. Ethiopia also keeps a consulate in Hargeisa.

The Berbera stake. In March 2018, DP World said Ethiopia had taken a 19 per cent stake in Berbera port, AFP reported. In June 2022, Somaliland’s finance minister said Ethiopia had lost that stake, because it had not met the conditions in time.

The 2024 MoU. On 1 January 2024, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Somaliland’s then president, Muse Bihi Abdi, signed a memorandum of understanding. Bihi said Somaliland would lease 20 km of coast to Ethiopia for a marine force base, AP reported. He added that Ethiopia would recognise Somaliland in the near future. Ethiopia’s prime minister’s office said the deal strengthens the security, economic and political partnership between the two. In Mogadishu, a Somali minister said the country was indivisible. The full text was never published.

The Ankara process. In December 2024, Turkey brokered a declaration between Ethiopia and Somalia. They agreed to work on Ethiopian sea access under the sovereign authority of the Federal Republic of Somalia. After Israel’s recognition, Ethiopia’s ambassador to Somalia said Addis Ababa had no set date to announce a position. In October 2026, Somalia’s president described relations with Ethiopia as good.

The UAE: Berbera port and investment

The UAE’s ties run through business. In May 2016, Dubai’s DP World signed a $442 million agreement with Somaliland to run Berbera port. In June 2021, it opened a new terminal, raising capacity from 150,000 to 500,000 containers (TEU) a year. The road towards Ethiopia was being upgraded with funding from the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development and the UK, DP World said. The story of the port is in Berbera Port: Why It Matters.

There was a military chapter too. In February 2017, Somaliland’s parliament approved a UAE request for a base in Berbera. In September 2019, President Bihi said the base’s airport would be used for civilian purposes.

Then, in January 2026, Somalia cancelled all its agreements with the UAE, citing harm to its sovereignty and unity. A Somaliland minister answered that the move changed nothing. The UAE itself had issued a joint statement with the African Union on 7 January, backing Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The UAE keeps a commercial office in Hargeisa.

Israel: the first recognition

On 26 December 2025, Israel and Somaliland signed a joint declaration. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called it in the spirit of the Abraham Accords. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar visited Hargeisa on 6 January 2026.

Diplomatic steps followed. In April 2026, Israel named Michael Lotem, a former ambassador to Kenya, as non-resident ambassador. Somalia’s foreign ministry called this a direct breach of its sovereignty. On 15 June 2026, President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (Irro) opened Somaliland’s embassy in Jerusalem. Within Somaliland, the Kaah party objected to the Jerusalem location, though not to ties with Israel.

Reports of a possible Israeli military site have drawn strong reactions. On 1 January 2026, Somaliland’s foreign ministry called its ties with Israel purely diplomatic. In February 2026, Khadar Hussein Abdi, Minister of the Presidency, said a base could not be ruled out. In August 2026, President Irro said Somaliland would offer bases at Berbera to Israel and the United States if they were interested, while stressing that there was no Israeli or American presence yet. Somalia said such talks have no legal standing.

Taiwan: offices since 2020

Taiwan is a partner in a similar position in Somaliland foreign relations: neither side is a UN member, and each has offices with the other. Taiwan opened its representative office in Hargeisa in August 2020, and Beijing objected. Somaliland’s office in Taipei opened on 9 September 2020.

Cooperation has since widened. In July 2025, the two signed a coast guard cooperation agreement. In December 2025, Taiwan’s foreign ministry welcomed Israel’s recognition and called both like-minded democratic partners of Taiwan.

The UK and Europe: aid and an office in Hargeisa

Britain ruled the area as British Somaliland until 1960; the short independence that followed is told in 26 June 1960. Today the UK does not recognise Somaliland. In 2022, the Foreign Office said it was the only Western bilateral donor with a permanent mission in Hargeisa. It also cited a £30 million multi-donor fund and British International Investment’s role in Berbera port.

In January 2026, ministers repeated that Somaliland’s status is an issue for authorities in Mogadishu and Hargeisa to decide. In July 2026, the head of the UK Office in Somaliland joined the UK ambassador to Somalia at talks with President Irro.

Other European donors work through the same channels. Denmark, Norway and the Netherlands have funded the Somaliland Development Fund, which supports public services. The EU’s position is set out in a statement of 27 December 2025. It reaffirmed the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia and encouraged dialogue between Somaliland and Mogadishu. The EU’s Horn of Africa envoy, Annette Weber, visited Hargeisa in July 2025.

The United States: security contacts, no policy change

The US has no official diplomatic relations with Somaliland, which runs a liaison office in Washington. At the UN Security Council on 29 December 2025, the US said there had been no change in American policy. It was the only Council member not to condemn Israel’s move.

Security contacts continue. In November 2025, the head of US Africa Command, Gen. Dagvin Anderson, visited Hargeisa and Berbera. In Congress, a 2025 bill would authorise the president to recognise Somaliland; when we last checked, it had not become law.

Contacts have grown since. In June 2026, the US chargé d’affaires for Somalia, Justin Davis, met President Irro in Hargeisa. In September 2026, Irro made his first visit to the United States as president, meeting Senator Ted Cruz and speaking at the Hudson Institute. No change in recognition followed.

On 12 October 2026, President Donald Trump called Somaliland a totally different country at a rally in Ohio. Hundreds celebrated in Hargeisa, but no change in US policy had followed, AFP reported.

Somaliland foreign relations in the region: Kenya and Djibouti

Kenya. In December 2020, President Uhuru Kenyatta hosted President Bihi. They agreed that Kenya would open a consulate and start direct flights. Somalia cut diplomatic ties with Kenya during the visit. In May 2025, Kenya stopped the planned opening of a Somaliland office in Nairobi, saying the event lacked formal authorisation. That same week, President William Ruto met President Irro.

Djibouti. Djibouti, the main port for Ethiopia, has a consulate in Hargeisa. President Irro visited Djibouti in May 2025 to mend strained ties. In December 2025, Djibouti joined Egypt, Turkey and Somalia in backing Somalia’s unity. In February 2026, President Ismail Omar Guelleh called reports of a possible Israeli site in Berbera the primary concern.

Somalia, the African Union, Egypt and Turkey

Somalia. Mogadishu calls Somaliland an inseparable part of the country. It called Israel’s recognition an attack on its sovereignty. At the UN, its envoy said it was a direct violation of the UN charter.

The African Union. On 26 December 2025, Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf said he rejects any recognition of Somaliland. He cited a 1964 decision on respecting the borders inherited at independence. Writing on the EJIL: Talk! blog, the international lawyer Eran Sthoeger has argued that Somaliland lies within the boundaries of the former British protectorate, so it does not redraw a colonial-era border. In 2005, an AU fact-finding mission called its case unique and self-justified in African political history, Crisis Group reported.

Egypt. In August 2024, Egypt and Somalia signed a military cooperation protocol. In January 2026, Egypt’s foreign minister called Israel’s recognition a dangerous precedent.

Turkey. Turkey brokered the 2024 Ankara talks between Ethiopia and Somalia. On 26 December 2025, its foreign ministry said decisions on Somalia’s future must reflect the will of all Somalis. Yet Turkey also keeps a consulate general in Hargeisa; in August 2025, Somaliland summoned the consul general over a meeting in Mogadishu.

Somaliland foreign relations without recognition

Taken together, the picture is mixed. One UN member recognises Somaliland. Many others keep offices, aid, trade and security contacts, while stating support for Somalia’s territorial integrity. For governments and companies, those practical channels matter day to day; read more in Doing Business in Somaliland. Somaliland foreign relations will keep changing, and we will update this page as they do.

Sources

1. Foreign relations of Somaliland, Wikipedia (accessed 28 October 2026).
2. International relationship, Government of Somaliland (accessed 28 October 2026).
3. Israel becomes first country to recognise Somaliland, Faisal Ali, Al Jazeera, 26 December 2025.
4. Ethiopia buys stake in Dubai-managed Somaliland port, AFP via Arab News, 2 March 2018.
5. Ethiopia loses its 19pc stake in Berbera port: Somaliland minister, The EastAfrican, 11 June 2022.
6. Ethiopia and a breakaway Somali region sign a deal giving Ethiopia access to the sea, AP via Africanews, 2 January 2024.
7. One Corridor, Too Much Risk: Why Berbera Matters More Than Ever, Gulaid Yusuf Idaan, Addis Standard via AllAfrica, 30 September 2026.
8. Somalia, Ethiopia reach deal to end dispute over breakaway region, Dawn (agencies), 13 December 2024.
9. Ethiopia says Israel–Somaliland recognition move being closely watched, Horn Diplomat, 3 January 2026.
10. Somalia won’t accept Israeli presence ‘under any circumstances’: President, Al Jazeera, 3 October 2026.
11. Port of Berbera, Wikipedia (accessed 28 October 2026).
12. DP World and Somaliland open new terminal at Berbera port, DP World, 24 June 2021.
13. UAE-built military airport converted for civilian use: Somaliland president, Hiiraan Online, 14 September 2019.
14. Somalia cancels all agreements with UAE over alleged sovereignty violations, Faisal Ali, Al Jazeera, 12 January 2026.
15. Israeli foreign minister visits Somaliland after contentious recognition, AP via Africanews, 6 January 2026.
16. Israel appoints non-resident ambassador to Somaliland, draws condemnation from Somalia, The New Arab, 16 April 2026.
17. Visiting Somaliland president opens embassy in Jerusalem, Lazar Berman, The Times of Israel, 15 June 2026.
18. Somaliland opposition criticises, rejects Jerusalem embassy opening, The New Arab, 30 June 2026.
19. Somaliland denies agreeing to host Israeli bases, resettle Palestinians, Al Jazeera, 1 January 2026.
20. Somalia warns against any Israeli base plans on Somaliland, Faisal Ali, Al Jazeera, 12 March 2026.
21. Taiwan opens representative office in Somaliland, CNA via GlobalSecurity.org, 17 August 2020.
22. Somaliland opens representative office in Taipei, CNA via GlobalSecurity.org, 9 September 2020.
23. Taiwan, Somaliland sign coast guard cooperation deal, Focus Taiwan (CNA), 24 July 2025.
24. Taiwan welcomes Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, Taipei Times, 28 December 2025.
25. Recognise Somaliland as an independent state: government response, FCDO via UK Parliament petitions, 10 February 2022.
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27. Somaliland, UK discuss deeper strategic cooperation, Mohamed Duale, Horn Diplomat via AllAfrica, 14 July 2026.
28. Somaliland Development Fund Phase II, UK FCDO DevTracker (accessed 28 October 2026).
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30. Somaliland President, EU Horn of Africa envoy discuss regional security and cooperation, Horn Diplomat, 5 July 2025.
31. UN / Israel Somalia (Security Council meeting), UN Web TV / UNifeed, 29 December 2025.
32. US Africa Command visits Somaliland, DVIDS (US Department of Defense), 26 November 2025.
33. H.R. 3992, Republic of Somaliland Independence Act, US Congress, introduced 12 June 2025.
34. Trump says Somaliland is its own country, but should change its name, Middle East Eye, 13 October 2026.
35. Hundreds celebrate in Somaliland’s capital after Trump comments, Africanews with AFP, 15 October 2026.
36. Kenya to open consulate in Somaliland, commence direct flights: communique, Hiiraan Online, 16 December 2020.
37. Kenya halts Somaliland office opening in Nairobi, reaffirms support for Somalia’s unity, Garowe Online, 27 May 2025.
38. Somaliland leader meets Kenyan president as Nairobi quietly elevates diplomatic ties, Somali Guardian, 31 May 2025.
39. Somaliland President Irro makes landmark visit to Djibouti to mend strained ties, Somali Guardian, 22 May 2025.
40. Djibouti warns Israeli base in Somaliland threatens Horn of Africa peace, Garowe Online, 27 February 2026 (citing Jeune Afrique).
41. AUC rejects Somaliland recognition, stresses Somalia’s territorial integrity, People Daily (Kenya), 26 December 2025.
42. Somaliland: Time for African Union Leadership, International Crisis Group, 2006 (via CRIN archive).
43. Egypt and Somalia sign military co-operation protocol in Cairo, The National, 14 August 2024.
44. Turkey calls Israel’s Somaliland recognition ‘unlawful intervention’ in Somalia, Turkish Minute, 26 December 2025.
45. Somaliland strongly condemns Turkish interference and destabilising actions, Somaliland Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 18 August 2025.
46. UN Security Council members condemn Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, Lyndal Rowlands, Al Jazeera, 30 December 2025.
47. The Legality of Recognizing Somaliland, Eran Sthoeger, EJIL: Talk!, 28 January 2026.
48. Somaliland’s president invites Israel and US to build bases at Berbera, Israel Hayom (citing The Economist), 23 August 2026.
49. Somaliland President Meets U.S. Diplomat Amid Strategic Interest, Horn Diplomat via AllAfrica, 4 June 2026.
50. Somaliland president arrives in US for first visit since taking office, Dawan Africa, 6 September 2026.
51. Somaliland Recognition Rally Planned Outside UN Headquarters in New York, Mohamed Duale, Horn Diplomat via AllAfrica, 21 September 2026.

Last checked 28 October 2026. Found an error or something out of date? Tell us.