Israel's recognition of Somaliland as an independent state is a strategic and principled realignment, not a miscalculation, according to Horn of Africa security expert Jama Ayaanle Feyte.

• Feyte argues the move acknowledges Somaliland's 30 years of effective governance and state-building since declaring independence from Somalia in 1991.
• The recognition is seen as establishing a vital strategic bridgehead in the critical maritime corridor of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
• This decision challenges the long-standing position of regional organizations like the African Union (AU), East African Community (EAC), and Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), which recognize Somalia's territorial integrity.