Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar makes first high-level visit to Somaliland following Israel’s recognition of the breakaway region, drawing regional condemnation.
HARGEISA: Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar arrived in Somaliland’s capital on Tuesday.
His visit is the first by a senior Israeli official since Israel formally recognised the breakaway region last month.
A Somaliland presidency statement said Saar was received at Hargeisa airport by senior government officials.
He held meetings with top Somaliland leaders during the visit.
Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but has not gained widespread international recognition.
It maintains its own currency, passport, army and enjoys a strategic position on the Gulf of Aden.
Israel’s recognition last month provoked strong criticism from across Africa and the Muslim world.
Many nations described the move as an attack on Somali sovereignty.
The European Union has reiterated that Somalia’s territorial integrity must be respected.
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud condemned the recognition as a threat to regional stability.
In an interview with Al Jazeera, he claimed Somaliland accepted three Israeli conditions.
He said these included resettling Palestinians, hosting an Israeli military base, and joining the Abraham Accords.
Somaliland’s foreign ministry has denied agreeing to the first two conditions.
The region has remained diplomatically isolated since its independence declaration.
It has generally been more stable than Somalia, which faces periodic attacks by Al-Shabaab militants.
Regional analysts suggest Israel seeks better Red Sea access through the rapprochement.
This could enable strikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen.
Somaliland’s location on a major global shipping lane makes it a valuable partner.
