Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar arrived in Hargeisa on Tuesday for a historic meeting with Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi.
This visit marks the first official diplomatic trip by a high-ranking Israeli official since Israel became the first nation to formally recognize Somaliland as an independent state last month. The meeting is viewed as a significant step in establishing formal ties between the two nations, despite the territory having operated as a breakaway region from Somalia for over three decades.
Okay News reports that the visit is focused on strengthening political and strategic partnerships between Israel and the self-declared republic. While the Israeli government has remained relatively quiet regarding the specifics of the trip, diplomatic sources confirm that the discussions are intended to solidify the new relationship. President Abdullahi hailed the arrival as a “historic moment” for the region, which has sought international legitimacy since 1991.
The move has faced sharp criticism from the Somali government, which views the recognition as a violation of its territorial sovereignty. International bodies and several world powers have expressed concern over the development, fearing it could destabilize the Horn of Africa.
However, Minister Saar has defended the decision, describing the criticism as hypocritical and asserting that Somaliland has functioned as a stable state for 34 years and deserves the right to self-determination.
