In Unrecognized Somaliland, an Unlikely Echo: “Am Israel Chai”

The sight of residents in one of Africa’s most isolated territories chanting Hebrew words of solidarity reveals the complex geopolitical chess game playing out in the Horn of Africa.

A Meeting of the Unrecognized

The video of Somaliland residents chanting “Am Israel Chai” — a Hebrew phrase meaning “The people of Israel live” — during an Israeli reporter’s visit represents more than a simple cultural exchange. It symbolizes the convergence of two entities existing on the margins of international recognition: Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but remains unrecognized by any country, and Israel, which despite its UN membership still lacks diplomatic relations with most of its regional neighbors.

This unusual display of solidarity occurs against the backdrop of Israel’s expanding diplomatic footprint in Africa and the broader Abraham Accords framework. While major Arab states have normalized relations with Israel, the dynamics in the Horn of Africa present a different calculus entirely, where recognition itself becomes a form of currency in international relations.

Strategic Calculations in the Red Sea

Somaliland’s apparent openness to Israeli engagement reflects shrewd geopolitical positioning. Located at the strategic Bab el-Mandeb strait connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, Somaliland offers potential access to one of the world’s most crucial shipping lanes. For Israel, establishing ties with Somaliland could provide strategic depth in a region where Iran has sought to expand its influence through Yemen’s Houthis and other proxies.

The enthusiasm displayed by these residents may also reflect Somaliland’s desperate quest for international recognition. After three decades of de facto independence, stable governance, and democratic elections — a rarity in the region — Somaliland’s leadership has grown increasingly creative in seeking partnerships that might lead to formal recognition. Israel, with its own complex history of seeking legitimacy, represents a potentially sympathetic partner.

The Risk of Proxy Politics

Yet this budding relationship carries significant risks. Somalia’s federal government in Mogadishu vehemently opposes any international engagement with Somaliland, viewing it as a violation of its territorial integrity. The presence of al-Shabaab, an al-Qaeda affiliate controlling significant portions of southern Somalia, adds another layer of complexity. Any formal Israeli-Somaliland arrangement could provoke violent reactions and potentially destabilize the relative peace Somaliland has maintained.

Moreover, this development occurs as multiple powers — including China, the UAE, Turkey, and others — jostle for influence in the Horn of Africa. The region risks becoming another theater for great power competition, with local populations bearing the consequences of decisions made in distant capitals.

Recognition as Realpolitik

The chants of “Am Israel Chai” in Somaliland ultimately raise profound questions about recognition in international politics. Both Israel and Somaliland understand the psychological and practical weight of being acknowledged as legitimate members of the international community. Their potential partnership suggests a new model of diplomacy among the unrecognized or partially recognized, where shared experiences of isolation create unexpected alliances.

As the international system fragments and traditional alliances shift, might we see more partnerships between entities existing on the margins of full international acceptance — and what does this mean for the future of sovereignty itself?