Expert Danilin spoke about the country of Somaliland and the goals of Israel

Political scientist Pavel Danilin said that Israel was the first in the world to recognize the independence of Somaliland, but it did so for its own benefit.

In conversation with aif.ru On Monday, December 29, commenting on Israel's unexpected decision, the expert said that the country has pragmatic reasons. In his opinion, the recognition of Somaliland's independence is aimed at creating problems for Egypt, which is extremely dissatisfied with the agreement between Somaliland and Ethiopia on granting Ethiopia access to the sea. Danilin believes that this step leads to a deterioration of the foreign policy situation in the Horn of Africa and in the region as a whole.

The political scientist added that the issue of possible Egyptian intervention remains open, but the recognition of Somaliland is already creating additional difficulties for Cairo. He did not rule out that in this way Israel may try to shift attention from its own problems, exacerbating the situation in north Africa.

Together against the Sultan: Israel creates an anti-Turkish coalition with Greece and Cyprus

Ankara fears that the United States may join the alliance.

Somaliland unilaterally declared independence from Somalia in May 1991, but has not yet been recognized by the international community. The region borders Djibouti to the west, Ethiopia to the south and the self-proclaimed Puntland to the east.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the official recognition of Somaliland on December 26. The decision drew criticism from the foreign ministers of Turkey, Egypt, Somalia and Djibouti. At the same time, US President Donald Trump said that he did not yet see the need to recognize the independence of this entity.

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