Somaliland opens embassy in Jerusalem

President Abdirahman said that Somaliland would join the Abraham Accords normalization agreements.

By JNS

Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi on Monday inaugurated Hargeisa’s diplomatic mission in Jerusalem, making it the eighth embassy in the Israeli capital.

“We have just opened the Embassy of Somaliland in Jerusalem, our eternal capital,” Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar tweeted on Monday evening.

“The friendship between Israel and Somaliland exists not only between our governments, but also between our peoples. It is rooted in the hearts of the citizens of both countries,” he added.

“I will continue to strengthen the status of Jerusalem as our eternal capital,” he said. “Stay tuned for more good news soon!”

Abdirahman on Monday also met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Prime Minister’s Office.

“I’m here as president of Somaliland for the first state visit ever. For 35 years, we have been asking the world to see us,” he told the Israeli leader, noting that Jerusalem was “the first to see us and recognize us.”

Netanyahu responded, “It’s a very natural thing for us to do—because we remember as the Jewish people, a small people that asked for the recognition of our rights from the world.”

“There’s a natural sympathy to you,” he added. “You’re a democratic state. You have a solid identity, and you have the right to be recognized and embraced.”

Following a private meeting between the two, Netanyahu told reporters that Jerusalem was seeking to cooperate with Hargeisa in the fields of water, agriculture, technology, security and “many other areas.”

Abdirahman opened his remarks in Arabic, declaring: “In the name of Allah, the most compassionate, the most merciful. Peace be upon you, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings.”

“It is a great honor and great pleasure for me and my delegation, Mr. Prime Minister, for this moment to be in Jerusalem,” he continued.

The Somaliland leader expressed his “sincere appreciation” for the “exceptionally warm welcome, generous hospitality and distinguished reception extended to me and my delegation.”

“Today, we are strengthening a path already built on trust, dialogue and sharing,” he stated.

“I also acknowledge your courage and clarity in engaging with Somaliland where others were afraid of. Your recognition of Somaliland as a peaceful, stable and democratic society in a volatile region reflects its statesmanship and strategic foresight.”

The Jewish state became the first country to recognize the self-declared nation of Somaliland on Dec. 26, 2025.

The same day, Abdirahman said that Somaliland would join the Abraham Accords normalization agreements.

On April 15, Israel appointed Michael Lotem, a senior diplomat, as its first-ever ambassador to the Republic of Somaliland, which has an estimated population of 6.2 million.