Somaliland President H.E Abdirahman Mohamed Abdilahi Irro on Tuesday warmly received a large delegation from the state of Israel led by the Foreign Minister, Hon. Gideon Sa’ar who paid an official working visit to the republic of Somaliland after Israeli’s recognition to Somaliland. First, the Head of State speaking on behalf of Somaliland state and its populace and expressed deep thanks and appreciation to the government of the state of Israel and its populace for the bold decision in which Israel granted an official recognition to Somaliland state. He pointed out that the new engagement will have a profound impact be it diplomatic, economic, and Somaliland development, the Horn of Africa and the world.
Irro reiterated that today is a great day for the state of Somaliland. He underlined that recognition will deepen the role of Somaliland in maintaining security, stability, protecting the thriving democracy and freedom of speech which will consolidate the bilateral ties between the two countries. He said that the new engagement will enhance the working cooperation which is based on strategic mutual interest between the two sides.
He affirmed that the recognition will pave the way for opportunities in the fields of investment, trade, technology, energy, water, minerals, agriculture and the development of basic infrastructure in Somaliland. He made clear that Somaliland remains ready to establish close bilateral cooperation with Israel on wide range of fields. During the meeting, Israeli FM, Gideon Sa’ar has confirmed that he is pleased with the recognition that Israel granted to Somaliland.
He also stated that Israel remains committed to establish close bilateral cooperation in a number of fields that will be beneficial to both states and the peoples’ of Israel and Somaliland. He clearly affirmed that his government is committed to present Somaliland’s case and history to the int’l community which has been neglected for a long time. He indicated that Israel and Somaliland bilateral cooperation is a clear example how a government can play a role in the world security, lasting development, and peaceful coexistence which is based on the mutual interest between the two nations.
He confirmed that the state of Israel previously showed solidarity with Somaliland by recognizing it on December 26, 1960 and now stands with Somaliland’s right and granted an official recognition to Somaliland on December, 26, 2025. This is the first historic visit that a high level official from the state of Israel paid to Somaliland since its inception 34 years ago. The visit has a diplomatic leverage which is based on the strategic interest and most of all the security. It is a new chapter for the newly established bilateral cooperation between Israel and Somaliland. He underlined that the recognition of Somaliland is based on the will and the wish of the Somaliland people, the security interest and the overall stability in the Horn in the long term. He commended for the functioning of democracy, maintaining internal security and the role it plays in the Horn.
