As of January 2026, Somaliland is recognised as a sovereign state by one UN member stateIsrael. 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 five days later. Somalia continues to claim Somaliland as an integral part of its territory, considering it to be one of its federal member states.
In 2020, Taiwan and Somaliland began engaging in ambiguous, high-level relations. On 26 December 2025, Israel became the first country and UN member state to formally recognise Somaliland as an independent country.
History 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.
In June 1960, British Somaliland gained its independence from the United Kingdom as the State of Somaliland. The following month, in July 1960, the State of Somaliland merged with the Trust Territory of Somaliland to form Somalia. In May 1991, Somaliland declared independence from Somalia.
In September 2017, Somaliland and the micronation Liberland signed a memorandum of understanding that "begun the process of mutual recognition". In January 2024, Somaliland and Ethiopia signed a memorandum of understanding which include a provision that the latter would recognise the former as an independent state. However, Ethiopia later signed the Ankara Declaration in December 2024 that reaffirmed support for Somalia's territorial integrity.
On 26 December 2025, Israel became the first UN member state to recognise Somaliland. At the request of Algeria, Sierra Leone, Somalia, and Guyana, the United Nations Security Council convened for an emergency session on 29 December following Israel's recognition of Somaliland.
States that recognise Somaliland Country Date of recognition Diplomatic relations Relevant membership, further details 1 YesIsrael–Somaliland relations
States whose recognition of Somaliland is unclear +NameOfficial positionIt is unclear whether Taiwan and Somaliland recognise each other as independent states. In 2020, Taiwan and Somaliland signed a bilateral cooperation agreement and established mutual representative offices, though this did not amount to formal diplomatic relations. When asked to clarify whether Taiwan recognises Somaliland as independent, foreign minister Joseph Wu responded "Somaliland has been independent since 1991." Somaliland treats Taiwan as a sovereign entity separate from China.
States that do not recognise Somaliland Member and observer states of the United Nations