JERUSALEM, June 14, (V7N) – Somaliland's President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi met his Israeli counterpart on Sunday in Jerusalem in his first-ever state visit, coming months after Israel officially recognized the breakaway African state. In December, Israel became the first country to recognize Somaliland's independence since it declared autonomy from Somalia in 1991 following a civil war.

"This visit carries special significance," said Abdullahi, according to a statement from 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." Abdullahi added that Somaliland has been reaching out to world leaders for 35 years asking only to be seen, and only Israel desired to recognize Somaliland.

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 that this would provoke Somalia and encourage other separatist movements in Africa. Herzog said Abdullahi's visit "symbolizes the great potential of this wonderful new partnership," 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 traveled to Somaliland in January — a trip that drew sharp condemnation from Somalia, which described it as an "unauthorized incursion." The growing diplomatic ties between Israel and Somaliland mark a significant shift in regional dynamics and could have broader implications for stability and recognition disputes in the Horn of Africa.

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