Context: In late December 2025, Israel became the first UN member state to formally recognize the Republic of Somaliland as a sovereign nation.
- Background: Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991. While it has functioned as a stable democracy with its own currency and military, it lacked international recognition (considered a "de facto" state).
- Geopolitical Significance:
- Strategic Location: Somaliland sits on the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, a critical chokepoint for global trade and the Red Sea.
- Security Interests: For Israel, this provides a foothold to monitor Houthi activities and Iranian influence in the Gulf of Aden.
- Abraham Accords: This is seen as an extension of the "normalization" logic, where Israel builds alliances with Muslim-majority entities in exchange for security and technology.
- Challenges: Somalia and the African Union (AU) have condemned the move, fearing it sets a precedent for secessionism across the continent.
- Subject Reference:
- GS Paper II: International Relations (Effect of policies of developed countries on India's interests).
- Prelims: Mapping (Horn of Africa, Gulf of Aden, Bab-el-Mandeb).
IAS-2026 - OPTIONAL / GEOGRAPHY / PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION / SOCIOLOGY / ANTHROPOLOGY / ORIENTATION ON 03 & 04-10-2025 
