Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar visited Somaliland on Tuesday, 10 days after Israel formally recognized the republic as an independent and sovereign state.
During his first diplomatic trip to Hargeisa, where he met with Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, Sa’ar said, “We are determined to vigorously advance relations between Israel and Somaliland.
He posted his comment on X/Twitter alongside images of himself meeting the Somaliland leader at the Presidential Palace.
Sa’ar said that because Somaliland has operated for 35 years in accordance with international law, Israel could recognize Somaliland but not the state of Palestine.
“Unlike ‘Palestine,’ Somaliland is not a virtual state,” he said.
Sa’ar made the trip at the invitation of Somaliland’s president, making him the first senior Israeli diplomat to visit the country since Israel recognized it. No other UN members recognize Somaliland.
Sa’ar also met other senior officials, including Somaliland Foreign Affairs Minister Abdirahman Dahir Adam, Presidency Minister Khadar Hussein Abdi, and Chief of Staff Brig.-Gen. Nimcaan Yusuf Osman.
Somaliland House Speaker Yasin Haji Mohamed and Senate Speaker Suleiman Mahmoud Aden were also in attendance.
For Israel, Somaliland is of significant strategic importance, Sa’ar said.
“On December 26, Israel and Somaliland signed a historic agreement for mutual recognition and the establishment of full diplomatic relations,” Sa’ar said at the meeting, adding that the two countries have agreed to appoint ambassadors and open respective embassies “soon.”
Sa’ar added that Israel wants not only to foster a “warm friendship” with Somaliland’s government but also with its people.
“We are excited to take part in the brave journey of the people of Somaliland from independence to recognition,” he said. “It is a badge of honor for us to be the first UN member state to recognize Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state.”
He noted that Somaliland was a “fully functioning state in every respect” and that it has been a “stable democracy for nearly 35 years,” including holding elections with “orderly transfers of power.”
“It is pro-Western and friendly toward Israel,” Sa’ar continued. “We hear the attacks, the criticism, and the condemnations against Israel. No one will decide for Israel who to recognize and with whom to maintain diplomatic relations.”
Further, the foreign minister reiterated Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s invitation for Somaliland’s people to visit Israel.
“We are full of hope that these historic days and moments will mark the beginning of a deep friendship between our peoples for many years to come,” Sa’ar said.
Abdullahi echoed Sa’ar’s sentiment, announcing his acceptance of Netanyahu’s invitation to visit Israel.
The president also said that Somaliland was wholeheartedly prepared “to open an embassy in Israel and to support a permanent and effective Israeli diplomatic presence in Somaliland.”
‘Significant security implications’
i24NEWS reported on Monday that at a meeting of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, a Mossad representative said that “the recognition of Somaliland has significant security implications.”
Eden Bar Tal, the director-general of the Foreign Ministry, said, “We see Israel forming regional alliances, and there is an understanding around us that we are a strong regional player.”
Somalia denounced Sa’ar’s trip. The country described Israel’s decision on recognition as an “unlawful step,” saying that the foreign minister’s visit was a “serious violation” of its sovereignty.
Somalia’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Sa’ar’s visit amounted to “unacceptable interference” in its internal affairs.
Reuters contributed to this report.