By Kazembe Batts IG: @kazbatts
Israel has pushed the USA into war with Iran explained Secretary of State Rubio, “Why now? Well, there’s two reasons why now. The first is it was abundantly clear that if Iran came under attack by anyone, the United States or Israel or anyone, they were going to respond and respond against the United States.” Israel initiated a war to destroy their enemy and brought the world’s hegemon, the USA, as backup with overwhelming military force.

The USA is at war because Israel attacked Iran. The state of Israel has expanded its presence in the horn of Africa. Israel is the first nation in the world to recognize Somaliland. According to the Somali Guardian, Somaliland President Abdirahman Irro held a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu after the surprise Israeli bombing of the Islamic state. With Israeli officials visiting the self-declared independent territory of Somaliland and Ethiopia recently, what are Israeli plans for East Africa?

During an Al Jazeera interview Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud commented “Israel sees an opportunity for its own interest. That interest is against the interest of many, not only one affecting Somalian sovereignty and territorial integrity but is a threat to the region, a threat to the Arabian Gulf, threat to the GCC, threat to the world global economy.”

When Israel announced its new relationship with Somaliland at the end of last year the African Union quickly responded. Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, released an official statement: The Chairperson of the Commission firmly rejects any initiative or action aimed at recognizing Somaliland as an independent entity, recalling that Somaliland remains an integral part of the Federal Republic of Somalia.

Any attempt to undermine the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Somalia runs counter to the fundamental principles of the African Union and risks setting a dangerous precedent with far-reaching implications for peace and stability across the continent.

Similarly, President Ismail Omar Guelleh of the bordering nation of Djibouti warned that “the establishment of an Israeli military base in the strategic port city of Berbera would pose a direct threat to stability across the horn of Africa.”

Israel is not the first nation to build a relationship with Somaliland. In January 2024, Ethiopia and Somaliland signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which was never published, but was reportedly intended to grant landlocked Ethiopia access to 20 kilometers of Somaliland’s coastline for 50 years and pave the way for formal recognition of Somaliland by Ethiopia. This attempt to reach the Red Sea has infuriated Somalia which has raised the prospects of war because they consider Somaliland a province.

Much of Africa is in turmoil. Borders are porous, nations cannot secure their territory, alliances are temporary. The USA, Russia, China, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, France and others need African resources and are maximizing their influence while staking claims to African land.

Secessionist movements in Tigray, Ethiopia and South Sudan, the Rapid Support Forces in Darfur vs the Sudanese government forces, Grand Ethiopian Dam are some ongoing flashpoints in East Africa. After the end of direct colonialism in the 1960’s, the Organization of African Unity (African Union predecessor) agreed to maintain colonial borders to avoid tension.

Now will Israel’s recognition of Somaliland encourage separatist and secessionist movements elsewhere on the continent – such as Biafra in Nigeria and Ambazonia in Cameroon – to advance their cause with the hope of being recognized internationally.

Texas Republican Senator Ted Cruz, in August 2025, wrote to Donald Trump asking him to formally recognize Somaliland as an independent state. Netanyahu has met with Trump at least seven times since returning to office. Coordination between the Trump administration and the Israeli state is undeniable.

Last year, the South African government successfully charged Israel at the International Court of Justice. Taking Israel’s side Trump subsequently downgraded the USA diplomatic relationship with South Africa.

Israeli and republican goals that are in opposition to the will of African institutions and states are problematic. Chess is being played about the future of Africa and humanity. A pro African development agenda, led by American Africans, is needed for the Horn of Africa and the entire continent.

Hopefully the Congressional Black Caucus will convene and emergency meeting. Unfortunately, we just missed the recent African Union Summit which was not attended by any major American African leadership. Neither did any official trump administration diplomats.