Israel’s foreign minister has held talks with Somaliland’s president during his first visit to the breakaway region since Israel controversially recognized it as an independent country.
Gideon Saar said Israel is committed to advancing 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 its 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 conversations with Abdullahi focused on “the entirety of our relationships.”
He also addressed the reaction to Israel recognizing Somaliland as an independent state, saying the decision was made “against no one.”
“Israel alone will decide who it recognizes,” he added.
In a statement from his office, Abdullahi said Israel had made a “courageous decision” and that Somaliland would cooperate with it in the “strategic interest.”
Saar said Abdullahi accepted an invitation from Israeli Prime Minister Benjmain Netanyahu to visit Israel, but the Somaliland leader’s office did not confirm this.
Somaliland declared its independence from Somalia in 1991, following 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 drew international condemnation and led to an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.
China, Turkey and the African Union were among those who criticized Israel’s move, while the European Union said Somalia’s sovereignty must be respected.
The US defended Israel and accused 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 as “fake” claims on social media that it plans to do so.
Abdullahi has said Somaliland would join the Abraham Accords, an agreement brokered by the Trump administration in 2020 that saw a number of Arab states officially establish ties with Israel.
Israel has pledged to cooperate with Somaliland in the areas of agriculture, healthcare, technology and economics.
Analysts say there are strategic reasons for Israel’s statement.
“Israel needs allies in the Red Sea region for many strategic reasons, including the possibility of a future campaign against the Houthis,” Israeli think tank the Institute for National Security Studies said last month, referring to Iran-backed Yemeni rebels.
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