ATHENS/HARGEISA (Horn post) — Greece has been urged to consider recognizing the Republic of Somaliland as part of a broader strategic response to growing regional competition in the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb corridor, amid escalating geopolitical tensions involving Türkiye, Somalia, and Eastern Mediterranean rivals.
The proposal was outlined by Michael Rubin, Director of Policy Analysis, who argues that Greece’s strategic interests are no longer confined to the Aegean Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean, but now extend toward key global maritime routes linking Europe, the Middle East, and East Africa.
Rubin notes that Greece has played an active diplomatic role in countering revisionist policies and security threats in the Eastern Mediterranean, but stresses that Ankara’s expanding military and political engagement in Somalia presents new challenges that could affect Greek interests further south.
Türkiye has deepened its presence in Somalia through military cooperation and the establishment of defense infrastructure, a development that analysts say could reshape security dynamics along one of the world’s most critical shipping lanes.
Against this backdrop, Rubin suggests that Greece should at minimum establish formal diplomatic representation in Hargeisa, following the example of countries such as Denmark, the United Kingdom, and Kenya, which maintain official engagement with Somaliland despite the territory’s lack of international recognition.
He further proposes that Greece could take a more decisive step by recognizing Somaliland, citing Israel as a precedent after recent indications that Tel Aviv has moved toward recognizing Somaliland as a partner within a group of moderate, law-based maritime states.
The debate comes shortly after Israel and Greece signed a military cooperation agreement, reinforcing security ties between the two countries and highlighting their shared concerns over regional stability and maritime security.
Greece and Türkiye have long-standing disputes involving territorial waters, airspace, and broader political influence, particularly in the Eastern Mediterranean. Analysts argue that expanding Greek diplomatic engagement in the Horn of Africa could be viewed as part of a wider strategic recalibration.
Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991, has maintained relative stability and functional governance for more than three decades, while seeking international recognition through diplomatic and economic engagement.
No official comment has yet been issued by the Greek government regarding calls to recognize Somaliland.
Publisher: Horn Post News
Category: Diplomacy | Geopolitics | Security
Region: Horn of Africa | Eastern Mediterranean
Prepared by:
Horn post staff reporter
