Israeli President Isaac Herzog welcomed Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi to Jerusalem, marking a significant step in relations between the two governments.
Speaking during a joint news conference, Herzog said Israel had officially recognised Somaliland as an independent state, describing the move as an acknowledgement of a political reality that has existed for decades.
“Both our countries acted with courage and realism. Israel recognised Somaliland as an independent state, which has been a reality on the ground for several decades,” Herzog said.
The meeting is seen as a major diplomatic milestone for Somaliland, a self-declared republic that has operated with its own government, security institutions and administrative structures since declaring independence from Somalia in 1991, although it has received limited international recognition.
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The visit underscores growing engagement between Israel and Somaliland and could pave the way for expanded cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
“Only one country desires to see us and recognise Somaliland, and that’s the government of Israel and its people,” said Abdillahi at the same briefing where the two leaders toasted together with orange juice.
Some countries rejected Israel’s recognition of Somalia’s breakaway region of Somaliland as an independent nation, the first by any country in more than 30 years.
Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 during a descent into conflict that continues to leave the east African country fragile.
Despite having its own government and currency, Somaliland had never been recognized by any nation until Israel did in December 2025.
Africanews.
