Somaliland President Makes First Visit to Israel After Historic Recognition

President Isaac Herzog and First Lady Michal Herzog hosted Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi and his wife, Fardowsa Mohamed Roble, at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem on Sunday, marking the first visit by a Somaliland president to Israel.

The visit comes six months after Israel recognized Somaliland as an independent state and the two sides established relations in December. Abdullahi arrived with a senior delegation for what both countries described as a historic diplomatic visit.

The Somaliland president and his wife were first welcomed in an official ceremony at the President’s Residence. Herzog and Abdullahi then held a diplomatic meeting, after which the two leaders delivered statements to the press.

“Mr. President, we are pleased to host you and your wife, together with your delegation of ministers and leaders, in Israel for this historic visit,” Herzog said. “This first presidential visit symbolizes the great potential of the new partnership between our two nations.”

Herzog said both countries had acted with courage. Israel, he noted, recognized Somaliland as an independent state, reflecting a reality that has existed on the ground for decades. Somaliland, in turn, chose to open an embassy in Jerusalem, Israel’s capital.

The president said images of Somaliland citizens waving Israeli flags in celebration of the new relationship had moved people in Israel, adding that seeing the Somaliland flag flying at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem was a meaningful moment.

Herzog said the next stage would be strengthening cooperation in agriculture, technology, trade, health, academia and security. He said Israel and Somaliland face shared threats and interests, including radical extremism, the need for stability in the Horn of Africa and the wider region, and the protection of maritime freedom.

Herzog also placed the visit within Israel’s broader effort to strengthen ties with African countries, saying that during his presidency he has made three official visits to Africa and sees major potential in the relationship between Israel and the continent.

Abdullahi thanked Herzog for the welcome and said the visit represented more than diplomatic protocol.

“For the past 35 years, Somaliland has repeatedly turned to world leaders and asked for only one thing: to be seen,” he said. “And it was the State of Israel that recognized us.”

He said he was speaking on behalf of six million people who are grateful to the government and people of Israel.

Abdullahi said the visit marks the beginning of a new strategic era between Somaliland and Israel, built around cooperation, stability and a shared desire for a better future.