Gideon Sa’ar, the Israeli Foreign Minister, has become the first Israeli diplomat to visit the breakaway region of Somaliland since Israel recognised its independence last month.
Sa’ar arrived in Somaliland earlier today for the first high-level diplomatic visit since Israel became the first country in the world to recognise the region’s independence.
The move was swiftly followed by a wave of condemnation from Muslim and Arab countries, claiming it undermined Somalia’s territorial integrity and betrayed the Palestinians.
Sa’ar landed in the capital, Hargeisa, and was received by officials from the Somaliland government. He later met with the President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, with photos and press footage showing the two together at the presidential palace.
“We hear the attacks, the criticism, the condemnations,” Sa’ar said. “Nobody will determine for Israel who we recognise and who we maintain diplomatic relations with.”
Somaliand president to visit Israel
Somaliland declared independence from Somalia as a breakaway region in 1991, and Somalia’s government has since maintained that Somaliland remains a key part of Somali territory.
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Adding to the stir of reactions across social media, Gideon Sa’ar said on X: “The mutual recognition and establishment of relations between the two countries are not directed against anyone.”
Sa’ar said that the region’s president, Abdilahi, has also accepted an invitation from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to visit Israel and open an embassy there.
According to Abdilahi’s official statement, Sa’ar’s visit represented “a significant milestone” that reflects a shared commitment to developing a “productive, forward-looking and strategic partnership.”
A Somaliland diplomatic source also told Israeli news channel i24NEWS that Sa’ar’s visit “aims to advance meaningful political and strategic cooperation between Israel and Somaliland.”
Adding to the meeting, which is a world first, Somaliland President Abdirahman said that Sa’ar’s visit was “the first such visit by a foreign minister in 34 years after recognition”.
“I conveyed my deep appreciation to the Government of Israel for its historic and courageous decision of 26 December 2025 to formally recognise the Republic of Somaliland,” Abdirahman continued in his statement on social media app X.
“I emphasised that this recognition opens a new chapter of formal diplomatic relations, security, economic and development cooperation, serving the mutual interests of both nations and contributing positively to peace and stability in the Horn of Africa.”
“I also reaffirmed that Somaliland is a reliable and responsible partner, strategically positioned and committed to advancing regional and international peace, security and constructive engagement,” Abdirahman’s statement concluded.
Somali condemnation
Somalia’s Foreign Ministry condemned Sa’ar’s visit as an “unauthorised incursion” into its sovereign territory, claiming that the visit was an “unacceptable interference in the internal affairs of Somalia.”
On December 26, Israel announced its official recognition of Somaliland as an independent, sovereign state, making Tel Aviv’s move the only country in the world to recognise the breakaway region.
The move was instantly met with widespread regional backlash and rejection, especially from Arab countries, which claimed the move was illegal and a direct threat to international peace and security.
Countries like Saudi Arabia issued statements following the recognition, claiming Israel’s step entrenches “unilateral, separatist measures” and contradicts international law.”
Up to 70 countries offered their unwavering support for Somalia to reaffirm its sovereignty and territorial integrity, including organisations such as the United Nations Security Council.
