Somaliland President Announces Israeli Recognition, Calls for Strategic Partnership in Historic Jerusalem Address
JERUSALEM, Israel (Horn post) — President of Somaliland, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi “Irro,” announced that Israel formally recognized Somaliland on December 26, 2025, describing the move as a historic diplomatic breakthrough during a joint statement delivered alongside Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar in Jerusalem.
Speaking during his official visit to Israel, President Irro said the relationship between Somaliland and Israel had been quietly developing for over a year before reaching what he described as a major diplomatic milestone.
“We have been working beyond the curtains for more than a year, and we are grateful that the Government of Israel recognized Somaliland on 26 December 2025,” President Irro said.
The Somaliland leader described the visit as unprecedented, saying he had arrived in Israel for what he called “the first state visit of its kind in any country in the world” since Israel’s recognition decision.
“I came here as President of Somaliland for the first state visit in Israel — the first of its kind in any country in the world, and we are honored to have that privilege,” he stated.
Cirro publicly praised Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar for what he described as playing a decisive role in advancing bilateral relations between the two governments.
“Your vision, your commitment, and leadership have been instrumental in building and strengthening the growing strategic relationship,” he said.
Security, Trade and Investment Cooperation Expanding
The Somaliland president said ties between Somaliland and Israel carry growing strategic and practical importance, emphasizing that both governments share common interests centered around stability, development, and international cooperation.
He outlined several sectors where both sides could deepen cooperation, including security collaboration, economic development, private sector investment, infrastructure development, technology transfer, education, healthcare, and institutional development.
“There are countless areas in which our two countries can cooperate… in economic fields, there is strong potential for investment, trade expansion, private sector partnerships and infrastructure development,” Irro said.
On security cooperation, the president said Somaliland and Israel share common challenges that make institutional cooperation increasingly important.
“There is a clear basis for dialogue, capacity building and information exchange to address shared challenges,” he added.
Somaliland Pushes for Israeli Investment and Embassy Exchange
President Irro directly invited Israeli businesses to begin investing in Somaliland, presenting the territory as an emerging economic destination with untapped opportunities.
“Our country is an emerging economic destination with significant untapped potential, a stable and secure environment, a free market economy, and a government committed to enabling private sector-led growth,” he said.
He identified finance, agriculture, construction, tourism, energy, logistics and extractive industries as sectors offering immediate investment opportunities for Israeli companies.
In one of the speech’s strongest diplomatic signals, Irro announced Somaliland’s intention to establish formal diplomatic representation in Israel while urging Israel to open its own diplomatic mission in Somaliland.
“The opening of Somaliland embassy in Israel will represent a major step forward… We strongly encourage the establishment of an Israeli embassy in Somaliland as soon as possible,” he declared.
Entering a New Diplomatic Phase
Closing his remarks, President Irro said Somaliland and Israel are entering “a new phase” in bilateral relations, one based on seriousness, mutual respect and strategic ambition.
“We are confident that Somaliland’s relationship with Israel is entering a new phase — one defined by seriousness, mutual respect and strategic ambition,” he said.
The visit is expected to draw significant attention across the Horn of Africa and Middle East, as both governments move toward expanding diplomatic, security and economic cooperation in what analysts view as a potentially consequential geopolitical development.
Prepared by:
Horn post staff
Hargeisa, Somaliland
