Hornpost
Minister Sa’ar Defends Somaliland Recognition, Rejects Criticism and Outlines Broad Cooperation.
HARGEISA, Somaliland (Horn Post) – Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs H.E. Gideon Sa’ar on Tuesday said Israel’s recognition of the Republic of Somaliland was a moral and principled decision, grounded in international law, democratic values, and Somaliland’s long record of stability and self-governance.
Addressing a press conference in Hargeisa following talks with President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (Irro), Sa’ar said his visit was the culmination of months of extensive dialogue between the two sides.
“This is an historic journey,” Sa’ar said. “The relations we are building are based on trust and mutual respect. On December 26, Israel and Somaliland signed an historic agreement on mutual recognition and the establishment of full diplomatic relations.”
He confirmed that both sides agreed on the mutual appointment of ambassadors and the opening of embassies, saying implementation would begin soon.
“We will get that done,” Sa’ar said. “We want to build an enduring and warm friendship not only between governments, but also between the people of Somaliland and the people of Israel.”
Sa’ar outlined wide-ranging areas of cooperation, including the economy, agriculture, water management, health, education, and defense. He said Israel recognizes water supply as a key sector for Somaliland and has already deployed experts to assess natural resources and delivery systems.
“In the coming months, we will bring professionals from Somaliland’s water sector to Israel for training, and we will send Israeli experts here to help implement new capabilities,” he said.
The Israeli foreign minister also highlighted humanitarian cooperation, noting that 49 children from Somaliland have undergone life-saving heart surgeries in Israel in recent years.
Defending Israel’s decision to recognize Somaliland, Sa’ar cited Somaliland’s independence in 1960, its restoration of sovereignty in 1991 following mass atrocities, and nearly 35 years of democratic governance.
“Somaliland is not a virtual state. It is a functioning state,” he said. “Israel is honored to be the first UN member state to recognize the Republic of Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state. This is the moral thing to do.”
Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs H.E. Gideon Sa’ar dismissed international criticism of Israel’s move, saying no external actor would dictate Israel’s diplomatic choices. He referenced the African Union’s 2005 fact-finding mission, which described Somaliland’s quest for recognition as self-justified.
He also welcomed Somaliland’s intention to join the Abraham Accords, calling it a natural alignment between democratic partners in challenging regions.
Concluding his remarks, Sa’ar reiterated Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s invitation for President Irro to pay a state visit to Israel and expressed hope that the current engagement would mark the beginning of a lasting partnership.
“May these historic days be the beginning of a close friendship between our nations for many years to come,” Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs H.E. Gideon Sa’ar said.
Pictures:
Prepared by:
Horn post staff reporter
Hargeisa Somaliland
