Israel’s foreign minister has arrived in the breakaway state of Somaliland, marking the first official visit since Israel controversially recognised Somaliland as an independent country.
Gideon Saar landed in capital city Hargeisa on Tuesday and met with Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, government sources there told the BBC.
Last month Israel became the first country in the world to recognise Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia more than 30 years ago.
Somaliland’s president called Israel’s move “a historic moment”, but Somalia furiously rejected the development as an attack on its sovereignty.
The Israeli foreign ministry has not publicly commented on Saar’s trip, but a diplomatic source in Somaliland told the BBC that the visit is intended to advance political and strategic partnerships.
The Somaliland government confirmed Saar’s arrival in a post on X.
Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991, after the overthrow of Somali military dictator Siad Barre.
However, the region has remained largely unrecognised on the global stage and Somalia considers Somaliland to be an integral part of its territory.
Israel’s recognition of Somaliland last month came as a surprise, with Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu citing Somaliland’s “right to self-determination”.
This move sparked international condemnation and prompted an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council. China, Turkey and the African Union were among those criticising Israel’s step, while the European Union said Somalia’s sovereignty should be respected.
The US defended Israel, accusing its critics of double standards.
In a statement following Israel’s announcement, Saar said: “Somaliland was not created this past weekend. It has existed as a functioning state for more than 34 years.
“The attacks on Israel’s recognition of Somaliland are hypocritical. Only Israel will decide who to recognise and with who to maintain diplomatic relations.”
President Abdullahi has said Somaliland would join the Abraham Accords, a deal brokered by the Trump administration in 2020, which saw a number of Arab states establish ties with Israel.
Israel has pledged to cooperate with Somaliland in agriculture, health, technology and the economy.
Analysts say there are strategic reasons for Israel’s declaration.
“Israel requires allies in the Red Sea region for many strategic reasons, among them the possibility of a future campaign against the Houthis,” Israeli think tank the Institute for National Security Studies said, referring to Yemen’s Iran-backed rebels, in a paper last month.