Israeli Foreign Minister visits Somaliland after recognizing its sovereignty

Israel’s foreign minister spoke with Somaliland’s president in his first visit to the breakaway region since Israel controversially recognized its independence.

Gideon Saar said Israel was determined to advance relations with Somaliland “with momentum”, while President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi hailed his visit as a “great 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 considers Somaliland part of its territory and condemned Saar’s visit as “unacceptable interference” in its affairs.

Saar posted on X that his talks with Abdullahi covered “all of our relations.”

He also addressed the backlash over Israel’s recognition of Somaliland as an independent state, saying the decision was not taken “against anyone.”

“Only Israel will determine for itself who it recognizes,” he added.

In a statement released by his office, Abdullahi said Israel had made a “courageous decision” and that Somaliland would cooperate with it in its “strategic interest.”

Saar said Abdullahi had accepted an invitation from Israeli Prime Minister Benjmain Netanyahu to visit Israel, but the Somaliland leader’s office did not confirm this information.

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 sparked international condemnation and prompted an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.

China, Turkey and the African Union were among those to criticize Israel’s decision, while the European Union said Somalia’s sovereignty must be respected.

The United States has defended Israel, accusing its critics of double standards.

Somaliland hopes that Israel’s decision will have a domino effect and that other states will recognize its independence.

But on Saturday, India’s foreign ministry dismissed claims on social media that it intended to do so as “false.”

Abdullahi said Somaliland would rejoin the Abraham Accords, a deal brokered by the Trump administration in 2020, which saw a number of Arab states formally establish ties with Israel.

Israel is committed to cooperation with Somaliland in the areas of agriculture, health, technology and economy.

Analysts believe there are strategic reasons for Israel’s statement.

“Israel needs allies in the Red Sea region for many strategic reasons, among them the possibility of a future campaign against the Houthis,” Israeli think tank the Institute for National Security Studies, referring to Yemen’s Iran-backed rebels, said in a newspaper report last month.