Somaliland president makes first state visit to Israel following recognition

Sunday 14 June 2026 - 13:37

The president of the self-declared Republic of Somaliland, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, has made his first official state visit to Israel, marking a significant diplomatic milestone following Israel’s recent recognition of the territory as an independent state.

The visit took place in Jerusalem on Sunday, where the Somaliland leader met Israeli President Isaac Herzog. According to official statements, the meeting is the first state visit by a Somaliland head of state to another country since the territory declared independence from Somalia in 1991.

Israel formally recognized Somaliland in December 2025, becoming the first country to do so. The decision marked a notable shift in regional diplomacy and opened the door to formal bilateral relations between the two sides.

During the meeting, Abdullahi expressed gratitude for the invitation and described the visit as a historic moment for Somaliland’s international engagement efforts. He emphasized that the territory has long sought diplomatic recognition and international partnerships, despite limited success over the past three decades.

Somaliland, located in the strategically important Horn of Africa and bordering the Gulf of Aden, operates with its own government institutions, currency, passport system, and armed forces. However, it remains largely unrecognized internationally, partly due to concerns that formal recognition could encourage separatist movements elsewhere in Africa and strain relations with Somalia.

President Herzog welcomed the visit, describing it as a symbol of a promising new partnership between the two sides. He highlighted potential areas of cooperation, including regional security, economic development, and maritime stability in a geopolitically sensitive region.

Both leaders also emphasized shared concerns over extremism and the importance of safeguarding maritime trade routes, particularly in the Red Sea and surrounding waters.

The visit underscores Israel’s expanding diplomatic outreach in Africa and Somaliland’s continued efforts to gain international legitimacy through strategic partnerships.