Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi has met Israeli President Isaac Herzog in Jerusalem during his first official state visit to Israel.
The visit comes just months after Israel formally recognized Somaliland as an independent state.
Last December, Israel became the first country to recognize Somaliland since it declared independence from Somalia in 1991 following a civil war.
According to a statement from the Israeli President’s office, the Somaliland leader described the visit as historically significant and expressed appreciation to Israel for the warm reception accorded to his delegation.
Somaliland occupies a strategic position along the Gulf of Aden and operates its own currency, passport, and military. However, it continues to face challenges in gaining wider international recognition.
International affairs analysts have warned that the recognition could heighten tensions between Somaliland and Somalia and potentially encourage separatist movements in other parts of Africa.
