Somaliland has announced that it will soon establish an embassy in Jerusalem following Israel’s official recognition of the country. This marks a historic diplomatic milestone for the independent but internationally unrecognized administration in Hargeisa.
“I am pleased to announce that the Republic of Somaliland’s embassy will be located in Jerusalem,” said Mohamed Hagi, Somaliland’s newly appointed ambassador to Israel. He described the move as a reflection of “growing friendship, mutual respect, and strategic cooperation” between the two sides.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar commended Somaliland’s decision to choose Jerusalem as the location for its embassy.
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“The opening of the embassy in Jerusalem will be another significant step in strengthening relations,” Sa’ar said.
The diplomatic development comes months after Israel appointed its first-ever ambassador to Somaliland and announced mutual recognition in December 2025. The move triggered strong condemnation from the Federal Government of Somalia, which continues to regard Somaliland as part of its internationally recognized territory.
Somaliland has increasingly sought to use Israeli recognition as leverage to push for broader international legitimacy, particularly from regional partners such as the United Arab Emirates and Ethiopia.
In an address to parliament, President Cirro described Israel as a “reliable partner” capable of helping Somaliland gain wider international engagement and potential membership in multilateral institutions.
Notably, the Somaliland president also praised Ethiopia for maintaining what he called long-standing and mutually beneficial relations with Hargeisa. He emphasized Somaliland’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with Ethiopia in key areas, including maritime security, trade, and cross-border facilitation.
