Israel’s foreign minister, Gideon Moshe Sa’ar, has made a landmark visit to Somaliland, declaring that Israel will soon open an embassy in the self-declared republic, deepening controversy across the Horn of Africa and reigniting tensions over the status of the breakaway Somali territory.
The visit, confirmed by Israeli and Somaliland authorities on Tuesday, marks the first time a senior Israeli official has travelled to Somaliland since Israel formally recognised the territory as a sovereign state. The move has drawn sharp criticism from Somalia’s federal government and triggered protests among Somalis who view the recognition as a violation of Somalia’s territorial integrity.
Speaking in the capital, Hargeisa, the Israeli foreign minister said the decision to open an embassy reflects Israel’s commitment to strengthening diplomatic, economic and security cooperation with Somaliland. He described Somaliland as a “stable and reliable partner” in a volatile region and praised its relative peace and governance compared with much of southern Somalia.
Israel’s recognition of Somaliland breaks with decades of international consensus. Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 following the collapse of the Siad Barre regime and a brutal civil war. Since then, it has operated as a de facto state with its own government, currency and security forces, but it has never been formally recognised by the United Nations or any major global power.
Somalia’s federal government reacted angrily to Israel’s move, reiterating that Somaliland remains an integral part of the Somali Republic. In a statement released earlier, Mogadishu said it “categorically rejects” any foreign recognition of Somaliland and warned that such actions undermine Somalia’s sovereignty and regional stability.
The Israeli foreign minister’s visit prompted protests in parts of Somalia, with demonstrators accusing Israel of interfering in Somali affairs and inflaming regional divisions. Some protesters also linked the issue to broader anger over Israel’s policies in the Middle East, particularly the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which has fuelled strong pro-Palestinian sentiment across Somalia.
Somali political figures and civil society groups have urged the African Union and the United Nations to respond firmly, arguing that Israel’s recognition could encourage other separatist movements across Africa. The African Union has long upheld a policy of respecting colonial-era borders to prevent fragmentation and conflict.
For Somaliland’s leadership, however, the visit was hailed as a diplomatic breakthrough. President Muse Bihi Abdi said Israel’s recognition validates Somaliland’s long-standing claim to statehood and opens the door to further international engagement. He argued that Somaliland has demonstrated its readiness for recognition through decades of self-rule, democratic elections and security cooperation against extremism.
Analysts say Israel’s decision is driven by strategic calculations. Somaliland sits along the Gulf of Aden near key global shipping routes, giving it potential geopolitical value. Israel has increasingly sought partnerships in the Horn of Africa, partly to counter Iranian influence and expand its diplomatic footprint beyond traditional allies.
The announcement of an Israeli embassy in Somaliland is likely to complicate regional diplomacy. Several Arab and African states, including Somalia’s allies, have expressed unease, while others are watching closely to see whether Israel’s move will encourage further recognition of Somaliland by other countries.
Despite the fanfare in Hargeisa, significant obstacles remain. Without broader international recognition, Somaliland’s diplomatic and economic options are still limited. At the same time, Somalia has vowed to challenge Israel’s decision through diplomatic channels, raising the risk of further regional friction.
As reactions continue to unfold, Israel’s recognition of Somaliland has clearly shifted the debate around the territory’s status, transforming a long-running, largely frozen dispute into a new flashpoint in African and Middle Eastern diplomacy.
