Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar visited the city of Hargeisa and met with authorities in the breakaway region. This after the Netanyahu Government decided to officially recognize Somaliland as an independent State. The diplomat's visit provoked rejection and criticism from Somalia and members of the African Union.

First modification: 01/06/2026 - 22:31

Israel deepens its ties with Somaliland and unleashes rejection from African countries.

This Tuesday, January 6, the head of the Israeli Foreign Affairs Ministry, Gideon Saar, visited the city of Hargeisa, the capital of the territory that seeks to secede from Somalia.

In this way, the envoy of Benjamin Netanyahu's Government met with the leader of the separatist region, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi. Both leaders discussed the development of relations between the Jewish-majority country and the separatist region.

This after in December 2025, the Israeli Executive chose to be the first country in the world to recognize Somaliland as a sovereign State.

"Mutual recognition and the establishment of diplomatic relations between both countries are not directed against anyone. Our common objective is to promote the mutual benefit of both nations and countries," Saar wrote on his X account after meeting with the authorities of the East African territory.

In addition to this, in response to criticism of his country's recognition of the secessionist region, Saar made it clear that "Only Israel will decide who it recognizes and with whom it maintains diplomatic relations."

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For his part, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, reported through his X account that this was the first visit by a Foreign Minister from another country since Somaliland declared its independence from Somalia in 1991.

Likewise, the political leader asserted that Israel can trust its Government thanks to the fact that "Somaliland is a reliable and responsible partner, strategically positioned and committed to promoting peace, security and constructive participation at the regional and international level."

Somalia and the African Union vehemently reject Israel's position

In retaliation, the Government of Somalia, through a press release, strongly condemned the presence of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Israel, in what it called “part of the Federal Republic of Somalia.”

In addition to this, the Mogadishu Executive urged Benjamin Netanyahu's cabinet to "immediately cease all actions that undermine the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Somalia, and fully respect its obligations under international law."

By the same token, the African Union also rejected Saar's presence in Hargeisa and called on Israel to renounce its intentions to deepen its ties with the separatist region.

"Today's African Union Peace and Security Council strongly condemns, in the strongest terms, the unilateral recognition of the so-called 'Republic of Somaliland' by Israel and calls for its immediate revocation," said the organization that brings together 54 States on the African continent.

This is how several African powers have also expressed their fear of Israel's intentions to increase its presence and power in the area.

Egypt's Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said in a statement that Israel's recognition of Somaliland is a "dangerous precedent that threatens regional and international peace and security."

Although the Trump Administration has not yet established a clear position on the issue, this Monday Republican Senator Ted Cruz asserted in his X account that the Government seeking the secession of Somalia “aligns with the security interests of the United States and the doctrine of 'America First'.

What is the strategic importance of Somaliland?

Somaliland was a British protectorate until 1960 when it became part of the Federal Republic of Somalia.

Subsequently, faced with the instability of the country and the internal armed conflicts derived from the collapse of the Government of Mohamed Siad Barré, in 1991 Somaliland declared its independence.

Consequently, currently the region that seeks to split has its own Constitution, currency and local governments.

One point to keep in mind is that this territory in East Africa occupies a strategic location, thanks to the fact that it is located at the confluence of the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea. In this way, the port of Berbera faces some of the busiest shipping routes in the world.

Some analysts consulted by the Reuters agency explain that given the difficulty that ships have today in transiting through this area, as a result of the repeated attacks by the Houthi rebels in Yemen, Israel could have recognized Somaliland to strengthen its military presence at this point between Africa and the Middle East.

For its part, the American agency Associated Press (AP) reported that based on information provided by officials of the Trump and Netanyahu Administrations, it was able to verify that in 2025 Israel contacted the Government of Somaliland, with a view to hosting Palestinians from the Gaza Strip.

With AP, Reuters and EFE

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