Israel (Kaab TV) – Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi ‘Irro’ is set to make his first official visit to Israel in late March, according to sources familiar with the matter who spoke to the Jerusalem Post on Tuesday.
The visit comes two months after Israel became the first country to formally recognize Somaliland’s independence last year.
Beyond diplomatic formalities, Somaliland officials aim to tap into Israel’s expertise in technology, agriculture, and innovation to strengthen the territory’s economy. “Somaliland — a self-declared state recognized only by Israel — now seeks to deepen its ties with Jerusalem beyond diplomacy,” the Jerusalem Post reported, highlighting the strategic interest in Israel’s leadership in these fields.
This diplomatic initiative in the Middle East coincides with Somaliland’s efforts to court Washington. Khadar Hussein Abdi, Somaliland’s Minister of the Presidency, recently told France 24 that the territory is prepared to offer the United States exclusive access to mineral resources and potential military bases in exchange for formal recognition.
The visit follows an invitation from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a high-level virtual meeting on December 26, shortly after Israel formally announced its recognition of Somaliland.