Washington, D.C. –December 27, 2025 – The Liberty Values & Strategy Foundation (LVS Foundation) welcomes Israel’s historic decision to recognize the Republic of Somaliland as an independent, sovereign state and celebrates this as a victory for international law, democratic resilience, and regional stability in the Horn of Africa. This milestone honors 34 years during which Somaliland has governed itself peacefully, maintained effective territorial control, and conducted international relations in a responsible and orderly manner since reasserting its independence in 1991.​

“Israel’s recognition of Somaliland breaks a 34‑year diplomatic blockade against a functioning, peaceful, and democratic polity that has long met the core criteria of statehood,” said Dr Fundji Benedict, Founder and CEO of the Liberty Values & Strategy Foundation. “This decision reflects a rules‑based reading of international law, where durable self‑government and peaceful conduct are acknowledged rather than indefinitely ignored.”​

The LVS Foundation pays tribute to the people of Somaliland for their resilience and restraint over more than three decades, during which they have built institutions, held competitive elections, and preserved internal stability in one of the world’s most volatile regions. In contrast to the cycles of state collapse and extremist violence around them, Somaliland has demonstrated that a Muslim‑majority society can combine security, democracy, and the rule of law in a sustainable way.​

The Foundation underscores that recognizing Somaliland is also a powerful tool for counterterrorism. By consolidating a stable, democratic partner opposite Yemen on the Gulf of Aden, Israel’s move strengthens regional security architectures and helps close operational and narrative space for groups such as Al‑Shabaab and ISIS. “For young Somalilanders, this recognition sends a clear signal: democracy, not terrorism, is what ultimately brings international respect, investment, and a seat among the nations,” Dr Benedict added.​

The Liberty Values & Strategy Foundation calls on African states to “take the ball” and follow Israel’s lead by extending formal recognition to Somaliland in the months ahead. Countries such as Ethiopia, Kenya, and Ghana, already deeply engaged in Horn of Africa security and trade, now have an opportunity to align their policies with both facts on the ground and the aspirations of millions of Somalilanders. The Foundation further expresses the hope that the United States will, in due course, assume a leading role in consolidating this new reality, translating long‑standing security and political engagement into full diplomatic recognition as a direct expression of international law’s core principles.​

“As Founder and CEO of the Liberty Values & Strategy Foundation, and as someone who is half‑Ethiopian, this moment carries a profound personal and regional significance,” the CEO stated. “My deepest wish is that my mother’s homeland, Ethiopia, will soon find a principled and mutually respectful framework to follow, opening a new era of cooperation between Addis Ababa, Hargeisa, and Jerusalem.” “This is a new era for the Horn, for Israel, and for Somaliland—and, crucially, for counterterrorism and for a generation of young Somalilanders who now see that ballots and institutions, not black flags, are what the world ultimately recognizes.”​

This moment exemplifies the LVS Foundation’s stunning strategic approach: defending liberty, rewarding democratic resilience, and turning successful self‑government into a central pillar of security policy rather than treating it as an afterthought. The Foundation will continue to advocate for policies that reinforce democratic partners in Africa and the Middle East, uphold international law, and confront terrorism through both hard security and the power of example.