Netanyahu hosts Somaliland president in Jerusalem, signs cooperation agreement

Middle East, Politics

JERUSALEM, Israel (NPA) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has hosted Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi in Jerusalem, marking a significant milestone in the growing diplomatic relationship between Israel and Somaliland.

The meeting formed part of President Abdullahi’s official state visit to Israel and comes amid deepening ties between both governments following Israel’s recognition of Somaliland and the opening of Somaliland’s embassy in Jerusalem.

According to a statement issued by the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office, Netanyahu and Abdullahi first held a private meeting before leading a broader bilateral session involving senior officials from both sides.

The Israeli delegation included Foreign Ministry officials, the Chief of Staff, the Government Secretary, the Military Secretary, Israel’s Ambassador to Somaliland, and other senior government representatives.

President Abdullahi was accompanied by Somaliland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Defence, Minister of the Presidency, Minister of Water Development, the President’s Chief of Staff, the Chief of the General Staff of the Somaliland Armed Forces, the Somaliland Ambassador to Israel, and other top officials.

At the conclusion of the talks, both leaders signed a Joint Declaration aimed at strengthening cooperation between Israel and Somaliland across multiple sectors.

The agreement is expected to deepen collaboration in diplomacy, security, economic development, investment, and other areas of mutual interest.

Speaking after the signing ceremony, Prime Minister Netanyahu described the relationship between the two governments as one founded on shared values and common aspirations.

“We are proud, and I am proud that my government is the first government on the planet to recognise Somaliland,” Netanyahu said.

“We are united by the same belief that freedom, democracy and opportunity are stronger than extremism, terrorism and chaos.”

The visit is being viewed as a major diplomatic breakthrough for Somaliland, which has sought broader international recognition since declaring independence from Somalia in 1991.

While Somaliland operates with its own government, security institutions, currency, and electoral system, it remains internationally recognised as part of Somalia by most countries and international organisations.

Political analysts say Israel’s recognition of Somaliland and the strengthening of bilateral relations could reshape diplomatic dynamics in the Horn of Africa and generate renewed debate over Somaliland’s quest for wider international recognition.

The state visit also highlights growing cooperation between the two governments on strategic, economic, and security issues amid evolving geopolitical developments in the region.