Israel’s foreign minister held talks with Somaliland’s president on his first visit to the breakaway region since Israel controversially recognized the region as an independent state.
Prime Minister Gideon Saar said Israel was determined to develop relations with Somaliland “with great vigor”, while President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi hailed his visit as an “important day.”
Last month, Israel became the first country in the world to recognize Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia more than 30 years ago.
Somalia views Somaliland as part of its territory and condemned Saar’s visit as an “unacceptable interference” in Somaliland affairs.
Saar posted to X that his conversation with Abdullahi was focused on “our entire relationship.”
He also addressed the backlash against Israel’s recognition of Somaliland as an independent state, saying the decision was not “against anyone.”
“Only Israel will decide for itself who to recognize,” he added.
In a statement released by his office, Abdullahi said Israel had made a “courageous decision” and that Somaliland would cooperate with it for its “strategic benefit.”
Prime Minister Saar said Abdullahi had accepted Israeli Prime Minister Benzmaine Netanyahu’s invitation to visit Israel, but the Somaliland leader’s office had not confirmed this.
Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 after the overthrow of Somali military dictator Siad Barre.
Israel’s recognition of Somaliland last month came as a surprise, with Netanyahu citing Somaliland’s “right to self-determination.”
The move drew international condemnation and prompted an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council.
China, Türkiye and the African Union criticized Israel’s actions, while the European Union said Somalia’s sovereignty should be respected.
The United States defended Israel, accusing its critics of double standards.
Somaliland hopes Israel’s decision will have a domino effect and lead other countries to recognize Israel’s independence.
But on Saturday, India’s Ministry of External Affairs dismissed ‘fake’ claims on social media that it was intended to do so.
Abdullahi said Somaliland would join the Abraham Accords brokered by the Trump administration in 2020. The Abraham Accords saw many Arab countries formally establish relations with Israel.
Israel has committed to cooperation with Somaliland in the fields of agriculture, health, technology and the economy.
Analysts say there are strategic reasons for Israel’s declaration.
“Israel needs allies in the Red Sea region for a variety of strategic reasons,” the Israeli think tank National Security Institute said in a paper last month, referring to the Iran-backed Yemeni rebels.
