The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has reportedly recognized Somaliland, a breakaway region of Somalia, as a sovereign state, following Israel’s formal recognition on December 26, 2025.
GLOBAL TRACKER reports that on 26 December, 2025 the state of Israel became the first United Nations member states to recognize the break away region as Independent State signing mutual and diplomatic relations.
This newspaper check shows that there is no official statement or diplomatic act showing that the UAE recognized Somaliland as a sovereign state separated from Somalia.
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However, the UAE has developed close relations with Somaliland in practice including a longstanding economic and strategic ties, including a military base in Somaliland and investment in the Port of Berbera.
UAE government systems have, in some contexts, treated Somaliland separately from Somalia especially in visa listings which Somaliland supporters view as a form of de-facto acknowledgment, but this does not equate to official diplomatic recognition under international law.
GLOBAL TRACKER investigation revealed that Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but remained unrecognized internationally for decades.
Also, most countries, Arab states, and regional organizations such as African Union, Arab League, Organization of Islamic Cooperation still oppose recognition of Somaliland’s independence and support Somalia’s territorial integrity.