MOGADISHU (SD)— A report by Russian state outlet RT indicates that the United Arab Emirates could potentially become one of the first Muslim countries to formally recognize the Republic of Somaliland, amid ongoing diplomatic engagement.

According to the report, such a move could follow similar steps by Israel, if current diplomatic efforts advance successfully. While the UAE has issued no official confirmation, the report highlights growing international attention toward Somaliland’s role in regional affairs.

RT noted that Somaliland holds significant strategic value due to its location along key maritime routes near the Red Sea, an area of increasing global security and trade importance. The territory’s position is seen as potentially relevant to broader efforts aimed at stabilizing and securing Red Sea corridors.

The report further stated that Somaliland is steadily increasing its geopolitical relevance in the Horn of Africa, as international actors seek reliable partners in a region facing complex security and economic challenges.

The suggestion that the United Arab Emirates could recognize the Republic of Somaliland reinforces a growing argument among Somaliland advocates: that the territory is evolving into a strategically indispensable partner rather than a peripheral political entity.

From this perspective, Somaliland’s stability, functioning institutions, and control over an important maritime corridor position it as a credible candidate for recognition. Increased engagement from countries like the UAE signals confidence in Somaliland as a reliable regional actor, particularly compared to ongoing instability elsewhere in Somalia.

Recognition—even by a limited number of states—could have a multiplier effect, encouraging further diplomatic ties, investment, and security cooperation. It would also strengthen Somaliland’s long-standing claim that it meets the practical criteria of statehood.

In this view, the shift is less about symbolic recognition and more about geopolitical reality: Somaliland’s strategic location and governance record are making it increasingly difficult for international actors to ignore its status.