By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi and First Lady Fardowsa Mohamed Roble have embarked on a historic state visit to Jerusalem, opening a new chapter in relations with Israel which recently recognised it as a sovereign nation.
Accompanied by a senior delegation, President Abdullahi arrived in Israel on Sunday as both nations move to create a working infrastructure.
In January, Israeli President, Isaac Herzog and his Somaliland counterpart, Abdullahi met in Davos, Switzerland.
In February, Somaliland announced the appointment of Mohammed Hagi as its first ambassador to Israel. Then, in April, Israel announced the appointment of Michael Lotem as its non-resident ambassador to Somaliland.
In May, Herzog accepted Hagi’s credentials, and now, in June, Abdullahi is in Israel to open Somaliland’s embassy in Jerusalem’s Malha Technology Park. He is also scheduled to address the Knesset on Tuesday evening.
Somaliland is the eighth country to open its embassy in Jerusalem, following the US, Guatemala, Honduras, Kosovo, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, and Fiji. Earlier this month, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar flew to Fiji to reopen the Israeli embassy there, following a 30-year hiatus.
Abdullahi had originally planned to make his first official visit to Israel at the end of March, The Jerusalem Post reported in February, citing two sources familiar with the matter.
This will however not be his first time in the country. The President previously made a discreet visit to Israel during earlier diplomatic contacts, which led to Israel’s formal recognition of Somaliland in December 2025.
Recalling their meeting in Davos, Herzog said how pleased he was to welcome Abdullahi to his home.
The two presidents – accompanied by their closest aides – went for a tête-à-tête, which Herzog later defined as “an interesting discussion” on many fields of common interests and mutual challenges, such as protecting maritime freedom.
The establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, he said, was part of the growing momentum of Israel’s ties to Africa. Herzog noted that he had made three presidential visits to African states and was certain that there would be more.
“It is an honor to stand on this stage,” Abdullahi said at the outset of his remarks. He said he considered the “exceptionally warm welcome,” friendship, and hospitality a gesture of respect between the two nations, stressing that Israel had been the first UN member state to recognize Somaliland.
