International recognition of Somaliland
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As of December 2025, Somaliland is recognised as a sovereign state by 1 of the 193 member states of the United Nations. This represents approximately 0.5% of all UN member states. The Republic of Somaliland was proclaimed on 18 May 1991 claiming to be the legal successor to the State of Somaliland which gained independence from the United Kingdom on 26 June 1960 and merged into the Somali Republic on 1 July 1960.[note 1] Somaliland is also claimed by Somalia as an integral part of its territory.
The short-lived State of Somaliland had received international recognition from 35 sovereign states.[1] On 26 December 2025, Israel became the first United Nations member state to recognise the re-established Somaliland.
History
[edit]The region of modern day Somaliland was ruled by various groups including most recently the Isaaq Sultanate before coming under British rule in 1884. While under British rule, British Somaliland defined the borders that are today claimed by the Republic of Somaliland.[2]
In June 1960, British Somaliland gained its independence from the United Kingdom as the State of Somaliland.[3] The following month, in July 1960, the State of Somaliland merged with the Trust Territory of Somaliland to form Somalia.[3]
In May 1991, Somaliland declared independence from Somalia.[4]
On 26 December 2025, Israel became the first UN member state to recognise Somaliland.[5]
States that recognise Somaliland
[edit]Member states of the United Nations
[edit]| No. | Country | Date of recognition | Ref. | Diplomatic relations | Relevant membership, further details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Israel
|
26 December 2025 | [6] | Yes | Israel–Somaliland relations |
Non-Member states of the United Nations
[edit]| No. | Country | Date of recognition | Ref. | Diplomatic relations | Relevant membership, further details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Republic of China
|
26 February 2020 | [7] | Yes | Somaliland–Taiwan relations
Taiwan and Somaliland have official relations and since the "Bilateral Protocol between the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the Government of the Republic of Somaliland" Taiwan has referred to Somaliland as a country.[8] However no official declaration of recognition has been made. |
States that do not recognise Somaliland
[edit]Member states of the United Nations
[edit]| No. | Name | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Somalia
|
[9] |
Non-Member states of the United Nations
[edit]| No. | Name | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | .svg/20px-Flag_of_Vatican_City_(2023–present).svg.png){kind=small} Holy See
|
[10] |
See also
[edit]Notes
[edit]- ^ Multiple entities have been referred to as Somaliland, including the Republic of Somaliland, the State of Somaliland, the Somaliland Protectorate, and the Trust Territory of Somaliland under Italian Administration. This article refers to the the Republic of Somaliland unless otherwise noted.
References
[edit]- ^ Kaplan, Seth (July 2008). "The Remarkable Story of Somaliland" (PDF). Journal of Democracy. 19 (3): 257. doi:10.1353/jod.0.0009. S2CID 153442685. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 August 2020. Retrieved 6 August 2017.
- ^ Fogel, Alec Birnbach, Benjamin (2025-12-25). "Why the Trump Administration Should Recognize Somaliland". The National Interest. Retrieved 2025-12-27.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ a b "Historical Documents - Office of the Historian". history.state.gov. Retrieved 2025-12-27.
- ^ "Background on Somaliland – Establishment of an "Invisible Country" – CJA". Retrieved 2025-12-27.
- ^ "Israel recognises Somaliland as independent state, Netanyahu says". www.bbc.com. 2025-12-26. Retrieved 2025-12-27.
- ^ Greyman-Kennard, Danielle (26 December 2025). "Israel, Somaliland establish ties with diplomatic agreement". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 26 December 2025.
- ^ "Somaliland & Taiwan History". somaliland.tw. Retrieved 2025-12-26.
- ^ "MinistryofForeignAffairs,RepublicofChina(Taiwan)". Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of China (Taiwan). 2022-03-18. Retrieved 2025-12-26.
- ^ "Why Somalilanders are smitten with Donald Trump". www.bbc.com. 2025-01-16. Retrieved 2025-12-27.
- ^ Nkosi, Sipho. "THE STATUS AND POSITION OF THE VATICAN AND THE POPE AT INTERNATIONAL LAW: TRYING TO FIT A RELIGIOUS SQUARE PEG INTO A LEGAL CIRCLE?". Sabinet African Journals: 1.
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