Somaliland's President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi with his wife, First Lady Fardowsa Mohamed Roble (L), was welcomed on Sunday by the Israeli President Isaac Herzog and First Lady Michal Herzog at the President's Residence in Jerusalem. Photo: X/@Abdirahmanirro
In December, Israel became the first country to recognize the independence of Somaliland since it declared its autonomy from Somalia in 1991 following a civil war.
"The visit carries special significance," said Abdullahi, according to a statement issued by the office of Israeli President Isaac Herzog.
"It is the first state visit by a president of the Republic of Somaliland to another country, and we are deeply appreciative that the State of Israel has chosen to receive us with such an honour on this historic occasion," Abdullahi said.
"Somaliland has been talking, has been reaching out to the world leaders for the last 35 years. They were asking only one question: to see us. Only one country desired to see us and recognise Somaliland, and that's the government of Israel and its people."
Somaliland enjoys a strategic position on the Gulf of Aden and has its own currency, passport and army, but has struggled to win international recognition amid concerns in many capitals that this would provoke Somalia and encourage other separatist movements in Africa.
Herzog said that Abdullahi's visit "symbolises the great potential of this wonderful new partnership", according to the statement, adding that he hoped for increased bilateral "cooperation in a range of fields".
"We both face the threat of radical extremism. We both seek security and stability in the region and in the Horn of Africa. We both see the importance of protecting maritime freedom," Herzog said.
The visit comes just weeks after Israel appointed its first ambassador to Somaliland, a reciprocal move after Somaliland named its own envoy to Israel.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar had travelled to Somaliland in January, a trip that drew sharp condemnation from Somalia, which described it as an "unauthorised incursion".
Egypt and a cross-regional group of Arab, African and Islamic countries strongly condemned Israel’s recognition of the so-called "Somaliland" region of the Federal Republic of Somalia.
In a joint statement issued on 26 December, the foreign ministers of Egypt, Algeria, Comoros, Djibouti, The Gambia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Maldives, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Türkiye and Yemen, along with the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the League of Arab States, expressed their "unequivocal rejection" of Israel’s decision, describing it as an "unprecedented measure" with far-reaching consequences for regional and international stability.
The ministers said Israel’s recognition of "Somaliland" carries "serious repercussions for peace and security in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea" and has "grave implications for international peace and security as a whole", adding that the move reflects Israel’s "complete and blatant disregard for international law."
*This story has been edited by Ahram Online.
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