The diplomatic landscape of the Horn of Africa underwent a seismic shift this week as Israel officially became the first United Nations member state to recognize the Republic of Somaliland as an independent and sovereign nation. However, the historic breakthrough was immediately met with a characteristic dismissal from U.S. President Donald Trump. In a candid interview with the New York Post published on Friday, December 26, 2025, Trump signaled that the United States has no immediate plans to follow its closest ally in acknowledging the breakaway region’s statehood.

When asked directly if the U.S. would join Israel in recognizing Somaliland, Trump’s response was blunt. Initially starting with a hesitant "No, not at this," he quickly pivoted to a more definitive stance. "Just say, 'No,'" the President told reporters, before adding a rhetorical jab that has since gone viral: "Does anyone know what Somaliland is, really?"

A Diplomatic Departure From Netanyahu

The announcement from Jerusalem came earlier that day, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu framing the move as being "in the spirit of the Abraham Accords." Netanyahu, along with Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, signed a joint declaration of mutual recognition with Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi via a televised video call. Netanyahu praised Abdullahi’s leadership and invited him to an official state visit, citing potential cooperation in agriculture, technology, and regional security.

For Somaliland, a territory that has functioned as a de facto independent state since 1991 but lacked formal international recognition, the Israeli move was seen as a crowning achievement. In the capital city of Hargeisa, thousands of citizens took to the streets to celebrate, waving both the Somaliland and Israeli flags. President Abdullahi declared it a "historic moment" that would pave the way for a strategic partnership in the Red Sea corridor.

However, Trump’s skepticism highlights a significant rift between the two leaders on African foreign policy. While Netanyahu views Somaliland as a strategic asset for monitoring Houthi rebels in Yemen and countering Iranian influence in the Red Sea, Trump appears more concerned with the complexities of Horn of Africa stability and his administration's existing military cooperation with the federal government of Somalia.

The "Study" Approach and Project 2025

Despite his dismissive remarks, Trump did not entirely slam the door on the issue for the future. "Everything is under study," the President noted during the interview. "We’ll study it. I study a lot of things and always make great decisions and they turn out to be correct." This "wait and see" approach suggests that while the President may not be personally familiar with the nuances of the region's 34 year quest for independence, his advisors are likely weighing the geopolitical pros and cons.

The debate over Somaliland has been brewing within Republican circles for some time. "Project 2025," the policy mandate often associated with the doctrine of Trump's second administration, explicitly called for the recognition of Somaliland as a "hedge" against the deteriorating U.S. position in neighboring Djibouti, where Chinese military influence is expanding. Additionally, influential figures like Senator Ted Cruz have recently urged the White House to recognize Somaliland as a reliable democratic ally in a volatile region.

Regional Backlash and Security Concerns

Trump’s hesitation may also be a calculated move to avoid further inflaming regional tensions. The government of Somalia in Mogadishu reacted with fury to Israel's announcement, calling it a "violation of sovereignty" and a "deliberate attack" on Somali unity. Somalia’s allies, including Turkey and Egypt, issued strong condemnations, warning that recognizing breakaway states sets a dangerous precedent for the African continent.

The African Union (AU) also rejected the Israeli move, affirming that Somaliland remains an integral part of Somalia. For Trump, who has frequently criticized the "endless wars" in Africa, the prospect of destabilizing a fragile Somali state  where U.S. troops are currently deployed to fight the Al Shabaab terrorist group may be a risk he is currently unwilling to take.

A Quest for Legitimacy Continues

For the 6.2 million residents of Somaliland, the "No" from the White House is a sobering reminder of the difficulties of achieving full international legitimacy. While they have their own currency, passports, and a functioning democratic government, the lack of U.S. recognition prevents access to international loans and major foreign investment.

As 2025 draws to a close, the recognition by Israel remains a solitary, albeit massive, diplomatic victory. Whether Trump’s "study" of the matter will eventually lead to a change of heart remains to be seen. For now, the President’s question "Does anyone know what Somaliland is?" serves as both a critique of the region's obscurity in the Western consciousness and a challenge to those advocating for its place on the world stage.