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Minister of Foreign Affairs Gideon Sa’ar held an official visit in Hargeisa, the capital of Somaliland, today (Tuesday, 6 January 2026), at the invitation of Somaliland‘s President. The visit was conducted discretely based on the security services’ instructions and can now officially be made public. 

The visit was held at the invitation of the President of Somaliland Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi. During the visit, Foreign Minister Sa’ar held meetings with the President and senior government officials, including Foreign Minister Abdirahman Dahir Adam, Minister of the Presidency Khadar Hussein Abdi, and Chief of Staff Brigadier-General Nimcan Yusuf Osman. The meetings took place at the official Presidential Palace in Hargeisa. Speaker of the House of Elders Suleiman Mohamoud Adan and Speaker of the House of Representatives Yasin Haji Mohamoud also participated in the meetings. 

The President of Somaliland and Foreign Minister Sa’ar delivered joint statements. 

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar’s Full Statement: 

“Mr. President,
It’s an honor to be in Hargeisa on this historic visit. Thank you, Mr. President, for your personal invitation and gracious hospitality. Over the past year, relations between Israel and Somaliland have taken shape. I want to thank you for your close partnership and visionary leadership. I also want to praise Prime Minister Netanyahu for his decision and leadership.

Mr. President,
It is an historic journey.
I held meetings with you and your team. We had an ongoing and extensive dialogue for many months. 
The relations that we built are based on trust and mutual respect.
Eventually, on December 26th, Israel and Somaliland signed an historic agreement on mutual recognition and the establishment of full diplomatic relations. We agreed on the mutual appointment of ambassadors and the opening of embassies. We’ll get that done soon. We agreed to work together to promote relations between our countries, for the sake of mutual prosperity. We want to build an enduring and warm friendship – not only between governments – also between the people of Somaliland and the people of Israel.

Since December 26th, we’ve seen the authentic joy on display in Somaliland – and also in Israel. We are truly moved to play a part in Somaliland’s bold journey from independence to recognition.

Following my instruction, the Foreign Ministry is working hard to build our ties across a wide range of fields: economy, agriculture, and much more. We recognize that water supply is a key sector for Somaliland. Therefore, we’re glad to provide our assistance and expertise on this matter. A water expert was already in Somaliland. He conducted a survey on the natural resources and means of delivery.
In the coming months, we’ll bring local professionals from Somaliland’s water sector to Israel for training. We’ll also send Israeli experts here to help implement the new capabilities. In recent years, 49 children from Somaliland have undergone life-saving heart surgery in Israel. We’re eager to help in medicine too and also in education. We will also cooperate on Defense and develop a strategic partnership. 

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Somaliland first gained its independence in 1960 from British Colonial rule. Israel was then among the 35 countries to recognize an independent Somaliland. Later – it united with Somalia under Italian rule – to form a single Federal state. But in the 1980s, as we know this region underwent a brutal civil war. Israel was the only nation to condemn – at the United Nations – the horrific mass-murder of 200,000 of your people then. We stood by you then as we stand by you today. In 1991 – following these atrocities – Somaliland decided to restore its independence.  

Unlike “Palestine”, Somaliland is not a virtual state. It’s a functioning state. Somaliland is a fully-functioning country based on the principles of international law. Somaliland is – and has been – a stable democracy for nearly 35 years. It has democratic elections – most recently in November 2024 – and peaceful transitions of power. It’s pro-Western and friendly to Israel. 

Mr. President,
Israel is truly honored to be the first UN member-state to recognize the Republic of Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state. This is the moral thing to do and this is what we did.
We hear the attacks, the criticism, the condemnations. Nobody will determine for Israel who we recognize and who we maintain diplomatic relations with. I want to remind that the 2005 African Union fact-finding mission stated that Somaliland’s search for recognition is “self-justified”. It listed Somaliland’s Constitution, defined borders and democratic character.

We recognize the simple truth and the existing reality. We hope to see other nations soon follow suit. An independent Somaliland rightfully deserves its place among the nations. I welcome Somaliland’s intention to join the Abraham Accords. This is a natural connection between democratic countries – both, in challenging regions.

Mr. President, in our meeting I restated Prime Minister Netanyahu’s invitation for you to come on a state visit to Israel. We hope to welcome you to Jerusalem very soon. In the words of Somaliland’s National Anthem, may your nation live in eternal peace. May these historic days and moments be the beginning of a close friendship between our nations for many years to come. God bless Somaliland. God bless Israel.”