Herzog Hosts Somaliland President in First State Visit to the President's Residence

Israeli President Isaac Herzog and his wife, Michal Herzog, hosted Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi and his wife, Fardosa Mohamed Robleh, at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem on Sunday, in the first such visit there. Abdullahi and his delegation received an official welcome ceremony before the two presidents held a political meeting and then gave statements to the press.

Herzog called the visit a “historic” one and said it reflects the potential of a new partnership between the two sides. He noted that Israel has recognized Somaliland as an independent state, describing it as a reality on the ground for decades, while Somaliland has opened an embassy in Jerusalem. Herzog said images of Somaliland residents waving Israeli flags had moved Israelis, and he was pleased to see Somaliland’s flag at the President’s Residence.

The Israeli president said the next step is to expand cooperation in agriculture, technology, trade, health, academia and security. He said Israel and Somaliland face shared threats, including radical extremism, and share interests in stability in the Horn of Africa and the wider region, as well as in protecting freedom of navigation at sea. He also linked the relationship to Israel’s broader ties with Africa, saying he has made three official visits to the continent during his presidency and that the relationship will continue to strengthen.

Abdullahi said it was a great honor to speak in person during what he called a historic visit. He thanked Israel for its unusually warm reception and said it was more than a formal protocol, calling it a genuine gesture of respect between two peoples seeking a meaningful relationship. He said that for 35 years Somaliland has asked world leaders to “see us,” and that Israel was the country that recognized it. Speaking for six million people, he said the visit marks a new strategic era and added that Somaliland, founded on peace and dialogue, sees Israel as a nation built on innovation and determination.