Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar on Tuesday paid a visit to Somaliland, the breakaway region of Somalia whose independence Israel unilaterally endorsed on December 26.
The Somali federal government in Mogadishu was outraged by Sa’ar’s visit, accusing Israel of “unacceptable interference” in Somalia’s internal affairs.
Somaliland has sought independence for decades, citing cultural, ethnic, and historical differences from modern Somalia, which was formed in 1960. Somaliland presents itself as more secure, politically stable, friendlier to Western interests, and somewhat more prosperous than Somalia. It already functions with its own government, passports, and currency.
Israel became the first nation in the world to recognize Somaliland as independent on December 26. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel saw a mutual commitment to stability and peace from Somaliland, “in the spirit of the Abraham Accords.”
Somaliland has said it plans to join the Abraham Accords, the peace initiative launched under President Donald Trump. The region has a close relationship with the United Arab Emirates, a signatory to the Accords in 2020.
No other nation immediately followed Israel’s lead. Somalia denounced Israel’s recognition as “unlawful” and a “serious violation” of its sovereignty. Critics of the move have suggested geopolitical motives, including desires for air and naval bases to project power toward Yemen, or even unsubstantiated claims about relocating Palestinians from Gaza to Somaliland.
Ten days after recognition, Sa’ar accepted an invitation from Somaliland’s President Abdirahman Mohammed Abdullahi to visit the capital, Hargeisa.
Sa’ar said his visit demonstrated that “we are determined to vigorously advance relations between Israel and Somaliland.” He emphasized that Israel’s recognition and diplomatic outreach were “not directed against anyone” and described the shared objective as promoting mutual benefit.
“In Hargeisa, I made it clear: Only Israel will decide whom it recognizes and with whom it maintains diplomatic relations,” Sa’ar added.
Sa’ar also responded to critics by contrasting Somaliland with what some nations recognize as a Palestinian state. “Unlike ‘Palestine,’ Somaliland is not a virtual state. It’s a functioning state. Somaliland is a fully functioning country based on the principles of international law,” he said. He highlighted Somaliland’s democratic history, noting it has held elections — most recently in November 2024 — and experienced peaceful transitions of power.
Sa’ar described recognizing Somaliland as “the moral thing to do,” despite what he called attacks, criticism, and condemnations over the decision. He also announced that President Abdullahi has accepted an invitation from Netanyahu to make an official visit to Israel.
Somaliland Foreign Minister Abdirahman Dahir Adam thanked Sa’ar for “this historic visit, the first by a foreign minister to Somaliland in 34 years,” saying it marks the start of a promising partnership grounded in mutual respect, shared values, and goals for peace and prosperity. Adam’s ministry also said the recognition would have a “big influence on the economy and development of Somaliland.”
Somalia’s government responded with strong criticism, calling on Israel to “immediately cease all actions that undermine Somalia’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity,” and to respect its obligations under international law. Somalia said Sa’ar’s visit was “inconsistent with the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations, the Constitutive Act of the African Union, and the established norms governing relations among sovereign states,” because Mogadishu must approve state visits to its territories.
