Somaliland Foreign Minister Says Israel Ties Could Expand to Military Base

Somaliland Foreign Minister Abdirahman Dahir Adam told ynet that he does not rule out the possibility of Israel establishing a military base in Somaliland. He said the two sides would cooperate wherever it serves their shared interests, including in economic, security and diplomatic fields, adding, "There are no limits to our relations and cooperation."

Adam’s comments came at the end of Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi’s historic visit to Israel with a delegation of six senior officials. Israel is the first country in the world to establish diplomatic relations with Somaliland, after Somaliland opened an embassy in Jerusalem. Adam said the visit was highly emotional and would be remembered in history as Somaliland’s first state visit by a head of state to another country.

He said Israel has a strategic interest in Somaliland because of its proximity to the Houthis and the Bab al-Mandab strait. According to him, Israelis are already coming to Somaliland and direct flights are a matter for the future. "We are looking forward to Israeli tourists, they will come," he said, adding that Somaliland is very diverse.

Asked whether there had been pressure not to establish ties with Israel and not to open an embassy in Jerusalem, Adam said no outside pressure could change Somaliland’s determination to pursue peace, development, prosperity and international cooperation. He argued that Somaliland does not need anyone’s permission to engage with other states and that progress comes through opening doors and building bridges. He also said Israel is welcome in Somaliland and predicted that more countries will soon recognize Somaliland, opening the door for others to follow.