Israel's foreign minister has arrived in the breakaway state of Somaliland, marking the first official visit since Israel controversially recognised Somaliland as an independent country. Gideon Saar landed in capital city Hargeisa on Tuesday and met with Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, government sources told the BBC. Last month, Israel became the first country in the world to recognize Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia more than 30 years ago.
Somaliland's president has called Israel's move 'a historic moment,' but Somalia has furiously rejected the development as an attack on its sovereignty. The Israeli foreign ministry has not publicly commented on Saar's trip, but a diplomatic source in Somaliland indicated that the visit aims to advance political and strategic partnerships. The Somaliland government confirmed Saar's arrival in a post.
Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991, but the region has remained largely unrecognized globally, with Somalia considering it as part of its territory. Israel's recognition came as a surprise, with Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu citing Somaliland's 'right to self-determination'. This move sparked international condemnation and prompted an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council. In response, Saar stated that 'the attacks on Israel's recognition of Somaliland are hypocritical,' emphasizing that Israel will determine its diplomatic relations.
Somaliland's president has called Israel's move 'a historic moment,' but Somalia has furiously rejected the development as an attack on its sovereignty. The Israeli foreign ministry has not publicly commented on Saar's trip, but a diplomatic source in Somaliland indicated that the visit aims to advance political and strategic partnerships. The Somaliland government confirmed Saar's arrival in a post.
Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991, but the region has remained largely unrecognized globally, with Somalia considering it as part of its territory. Israel's recognition came as a surprise, with Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu citing Somaliland's 'right to self-determination'. This move sparked international condemnation and prompted an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council. In response, Saar stated that 'the attacks on Israel's recognition of Somaliland are hypocritical,' emphasizing that Israel will determine its diplomatic relations.
