Israeli foreign minister travels to Somaliland infuriating Somalia
Ten days after Israel formally recognized the self-declared republic as an independent and sovereign state, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar traveled to Somaliland on Tuesday, a visit that Somalia condemned.
Only Israel has officially acknowledged Somaliland’s decision to secede from Somalia; Saar’s visit was deemed a “serious violation” of its sovereignty, and Israel’s recognition decision was deemed a “unlawful step.”
Abdirahman Mohammed Abdullah, the president of Somaliland, and Saar conducted discussions “on the full range of relations” in the capital, Hargeisa, according to a statement on X.
Saar posted pictures of himself with the Somaliland leader at the presidential palace along with the message, “We are determined to vigorously advance relations between Israel and Somaliland,” on X.
Saar was leading a high-level delegation, the Somaliland media ministry had earlier stated on X. A senior Somaliland official told Reuters prior to the meeting with the president that the Israeli foreign minister was anticipated to talk about measures to improve bilateral ties, but it provided no other information.
According to Saar, Abdullah accepted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s offer to visit Israel formally.
A statement from Somalia’s foreign ministry said that Saar’s visit amounted to “unacceptable interference” in the country’s internal affairs.
Somaliland will join the Abraham Accords, which were mediated by Washington in 2020 and saw Gulf states Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, a strong ally of Somaliland, forge connections with Israel, Abdullahi announced last month.
“Somaliland’s president thanked Israel and its citizens for their decision to recognize Somaliland, this will have a big influence on the economy and development of Somaliland,” the foreign ministry of Somaliland stated in a Facebook statement.
A STRATEGIC PLACE
Although Somaliland, a former British protectorate, has bilateral agreements with other states on investments and security coordination, it has long sought official recognition as an independent state.
After two years of tense relations with several of its closest allies over the Gaza War and West Bank policy, Israel decided to recognize Somaliland.
Israel will seek collaboration in the fields of agriculture, health, technology, and the economy, according to Netanyahu. Saar stated after his visit that “local professionals” from Somaliland’s water industry will travel to Israel for training in the upcoming months.
Since the start of the Gaza conflict in October 2023, Iran-backed Houthis have launched missiles and drones toward Israel from Somaliland, which is located in northwest Somalia and shares land borders with Ethiopia and Djibouti. It is also located across the Gulf of Aden from Yemen.
The strategic location of Somaliland likely prompted Israeli intervention, according to Omar Mahmood, a Somalia analyst at the International Crisis Group think tank, although security cooperation was still feasible in the absence of Israeli military posts in Somaliland.
On Tuesday, Saar stated that the creation of diplomatic connections and mutual recognition were not intended for any individual.
Somaliland has refused to recognize Israel, which would have allowed Israel to set up military installations there or relocate Palestinians from Gaza.
According to Israeli officials, Israel has supported Palestinians leaving Gaza voluntarily.
