Somaliland Foreign Minister Says Ties With Israel Could Open the Door to Others

Somaliland’s historic presidential visit to Israel is ending today, Thursday, after President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi arrived with a delegation that included ministers and the country’s chief of staff. As part of the trip, Somaliland Foreign Minister Abdirahman Dahir Adan gave an exclusive interview to Roi Kais at Jerusalem’s King David Hotel for Kan News on Reshet Bet.

Adan said he believes full diplomatic ties with Israel will become a breakthrough that could encourage other countries to recognize Somaliland, which he described as strategically located in the Horn of Africa. “Now with the establishment of full diplomatic relations with Somaliland, through the opening of the embassy and by inviting the president as part of an official delegation from Somaliland, it will open the door for others to follow Israel. I am sure of it,” he said.

He described the most emotional moment of the trip as the welcome from Israeli leaders, saying he was close to tears when the national anthem of Somaliland was played and its flag was raised in the presence of the Israeli president, foreign minister, prime minister and Knesset speaker. “It was a moment I will never forget. It was very emotional,” he said.

Arab and Muslim countries aligned with Somalia condemned the visit and Somaliland’s embassy opening. Adan dismissed the criticism, calling Somalia a failed state that does not control beyond Mogadishu and saying the rest of its territory is held by al-Shabab. He also did not rule out an Israeli military presence in Somaliland to help address Red Sea threats from the Houthis in Yemen, saying the relationship is “open” and both sides can discuss anything in their mutual interest, including economic and security cooperation. He ended by thanking the Israeli public and government, saying Somaliland would remain “forever grateful” for what Israel has done.