Hargeisa (Kaab TV) – The President of Somaliland, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (Cirro), today received at the Somaliland Presidential Palace the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Israel, Gideon Sa’ar, and a delegation he was leading, who arrived in Somaliland on an official visit.
According to a statement from the Somaliland Presidency, the President first expressed his gratitude to the Government and people of Israel for recognizing Somaliland, describing the move as a bold decision with significant diplomatic, economic, and developmental impact on Somaliland, the Horn of Africa, and the wider international community.
President Cirro noted that Israel’s recognition would strengthen Somaliland’s role in promoting peace, stability, democracy, freedom of expression, and bilateral cooperation.
He added that it would also create new opportunities for investment, trade, technological development, energy, water resources, mining, agriculture, and economic infrastructure.
For his part, Israel’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gideon Sa’ar, stated that his government is pleased to have granted full recognition to Somaliland and is ready to establish close and mutually beneficial relations that serve the interests of both governments and peoples.
The minister emphasized that the decision was based on “the right of the people of Somaliland to self-determination, security interests, and regional stability.”
The statement from the Somaliland Presidency described the visit as historic, noting that it was the first visit by an Israeli Foreign Minister to Somaliland in 34 years. It was characterized as carrying significant diplomatic weight, strategic importance, and crucial security implications.
Finally, President Cirro reaffirmed to the Israeli Foreign Minister that Somaliland is a reliable partner, strategically located, and vital to the future of peace and security in the Horn of Africa and the wider world, according to the presidential statement.