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Israel’s Foreign Minister arrived in Somaliland on Tuesday, marking the first visit by an Israeli official since the country formally recognised the breakaway region in the Horn of Africa, according to the Somaliland presidency.
Israel announced last month its official recognition of Somaliland, which is the first time the self-proclaimed republic, which unilaterally declared independence from Somalia in 1991, has received such acknowledgement.
“A delegation led by Foreign Minister Gideon Saar from Israel arrived at Hargeisa, where he was welcomed at the airport by high-ranking government officials. He engaged in discussions with top officials of Somaliland,” the presidency said in a statement.
For decades, Somaliland has sought international acknowledgement and has a strategic location on the Gulf of Aden, along with its own currency, passport, and military.
The recognition by Israel of the breakaway region faced significant backlash from African nations and countries with Muslim majorities, who viewed the action as an infringement on Somali sovereignty.
The European Union has also stressed that Somalia’s sovereignty must be upheld.
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud condemned the move, labelling it a “threat” to stability within the Horn of Africa.
Since it declared independence, the breakaway region has mainly been diplomatically isolated, although it has generally maintained more stability compared to Somalia, which regularly experiences attacks from Al-Shabaab militants in its capital, Mogadishu.
Analysts in the region believe that improving relations with Somaliland could offer Israel enhanced access to the Red Sea, thereby allowing it to target Houthi rebels in Yemen.
Its strategic location, adjacent to one of the world’s busiest shipping routes, has made it an important ally to foreign nations.
