Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Somalia has sharply condemned a visit by Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar to Somaliland, the self-declared breakaway region in the Horn of Africa, describing the move as an unacceptable violation of Somali sovereignty and a dangerous precedent in an already fragile region.
Saar’s visit to the Somaliland capital, Hargeisa, on Tuesday marked the first time an Israeli official has traveled to the territory since Israel formally recognized Somaliland as an independent state in December. The recognition, which made Israel the only country in the world to take such a step, has drawn widespread international criticism and intensified diplomatic tensions across Africa and the Middle East.
During the visit, Saar met with Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi to discuss what he described as the foundations of a new bilateral relationship. “We are determined to vigorously advance relations between Israel and Somaliland,” Saar wrote on the social media platform X, signaling Israel’s intent to move swiftly from symbolic recognition to practical cooperation.
Somalia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded by issuing a strong condemnation, calling Saar’s visit “an unacceptable interference in the internal affairs” of Somalia. Mogadishu maintains that Somaliland remains an integral part of Somali territory, despite the region’s unilateral declaration of independence in 1991 and its relative stability compared with the rest of the country.
Israel’s recognition of Somaliland has been rejected by major international and regional bodies, including the African Union and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, both of which have reiterated their support for Somalia’s territorial integrity. Critics argue that Israel’s move risks legitimizing secessionist movements elsewhere in Africa and undermining longstanding principles of state sovereignty.
Despite the backlash, Israel has signaled that it intends to deepen its engagement with Somaliland. Saar said that President Abdullahi has accepted an invitation from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to visit Israel, a step that would further formalize ties and likely provoke additional diplomatic friction with Somalia and its allies.
Netanyahu has previously outlined areas of potential cooperation, including agriculture, healthcare, technology, and economic development. Saar added that “local professionals” from Somaliland’s water sector are expected to travel to Israel in the coming months for training, presenting the partnership as one focused on capacity-building and development.
Analysts, however, say the relationship carries broader geopolitical implications. Somaliland’s strategic location near the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a vital maritime chokepoint linking the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean, has fueled speculation that Israel’s interest extends beyond economic cooperation to long-term security and intelligence considerations.
For Somalia, the visit underscores fears that international engagement with Somaliland could erode efforts to preserve national unity at a time when the country continues to battle insurgency, political fragmentation, and humanitarian challenges. For the wider region, Israel’s move has reopened sensitive debates about borders, recognition, and the balance of power in the Horn of Africa.
As Israel and Somaliland move to institutionalize their relationship, Somalia’s condemnation highlights the likelihood that the issue will remain a source of regional tension, with potential repercussions for African diplomacy, Red Sea security, and the broader international order governing recognition and statehood.
