Somaliland President, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi held talks with President Isaac Herzog on Sunday during his first-ever state visit to Israel.
Abdullahi noted the significance of Israel’s recognition of Somaliland in December 2025, calling it “an important marker” in the evolving relationship between both nations.
The leader thanked the Israeli government, President, Prime Minister, and Foreign Minister while conveying “the appreciation of six million Somaliland Muslims.”
He recalled how they reached out to world leaders for 35 years, saying, “Only one country desired to see us and recognize Somaliland, and that’s the government of Israel and its people.”
Herzog, in his remarks, emphasized that the meeting symbolizes “the great potential” of a new partnership, declaring that the two sides acted with courage and realism.
According to the President, Israel’s recognition of Somaliland as an independent state was a status that has been in effect for several decades.
Herzog said bilateral relations should now move from declarations to people-to-people cooperation in a range of fields, which are important to both countries.
“We both face the threat of radical extremism,” he noted, adding that Jerusalem and Hargeisa seek maritime freedom as well as security and stability in the region and the Horn of Africa.
Somaliland earlier announced plans to open its pioneer embassy in Jerusalem, joining the United States, Guatemala, Honduras, Kosovo, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, and Fiji.
