Somaliland’s de facto leader makes ‘historic’ visit to Israel

JERUSALEM: Somaliland’s de facto leader Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi met Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Sunday in what was described as his first state visit abroad, months after Israel formally recognised the breakaway territory.

Israel became the first country in December to recognise Somaliland’s independence. Somaliland declared autonomy from Somalia in 1991 after a civil war, but has not secured wider international recognition since then.

According to a statement issued by Herzog’s office, Abdullahi said the trip marked a major moment for Somaliland’s leadership and diplomacy.

“The visit carries special significance,” said Abdullahi, according to a statement issued by the office of Israeli President Isaac Herzog. “It is the first state visit by a president of the Republic of Somaliland to another country, and we are deeply appreciative that the State of Israel has chosen to receive us with such an honour on this historic occasion,” the statement read.

In the same statement, Abdullahi said Somaliland had spent the past 35 years trying to engage world leaders and gain acknowledgment, adding that Israel was the only country to both receive and recognise it. Somaliland sits in a strategic location along the Gulf of Aden and maintains its own currency, passport and army. Despite that, it has struggled to win international acceptance, as many governments have been wary that doing so could anger Somalia and encourage other separatist movements across Africa.