‘Unlike Palestine, Somaliland is a fully functioning state’: Israel’s FM Minister Sa’ar travels to newly recognized country in first official visit

Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar traveled to Hargeisa, Somaliland on Tuesday, marking the first diplomatic visit by an Israeli official to the newly-recognized country on the Horn of Africa that is widely seen as a province of Somalia.

Several hours after first reports of Sa’ar’s presence in Hargeisa emerged online, the Foreign Ministry confirmed the sensitive visit had taken place at the invitation of President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi and “was conducted discreetly in accordance with the instructions of security officials.”

Sa’ar met Abdullahi as well as several other senior officials in the presidential palace in Hargeisa, the capital of the fledgling country. Last week, Israel had drawn widespread condemnation, particularly from Arab and Muslim countries, for becoming the first UN-member state to recognize Somaliland.

Footage from Somaliland of President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi with Israeli Foreign Minister Sa'ar outside the Presidential Palace in Hargeisa. https://t.co/M3A1iy2DK4 pic.twitter.com/NgI6H9JPgq

— Ariel Oseran أريئل أوسيران (@ariel_oseran) January 6, 2026

“We want to build a warm friendship not only between governments – but also between peoples: the Israeli people and the people of Somaliland. Since December 26, we have seen authentic joy in Somaliland, and also in Israel. We are excited to take part in the brave journey of the people of Somaliland from independence to recognition,” Sa’ar said in a statement.

His visit was accompanied by numerous unconfirmed reports and rumors that several other countries could join Israel within a short period of time to recognize Somaliland. Candidates reportedly included the United Arab Emirates, India, Ethiopia, Morocco, Kenya and others.

On Tuesday, Sa’ar’s ministry also shared an op-ed by U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz on 𝕏, in which he argued that “Recognizing Somaliland isn’t charity – it’s strategy. It aligns with America’s security interests and the ‘America First’ doctrine by strengthening an ally that shares our values in a region vital to global trade and counterterrorism.”

The Trump administration hasn’t condemned Israel’s recognition of Somaliland but also didn’t signal that it intends to join it soon.

Sa’ar vowed that Israel and Somaliland would appoint ambassadors and open embassies in each other’s countries soon. “Under my guidance, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is working to build relations in many areas: economy, water, agriculture, and more. We will carry out cooperation on security matters and develop a strategic partnership between us,” he added.

It's a great privilege to conduct the first official diplomatic visit to Somaliland, at the invitation of President @Abdirahmanirro.
The visit is also a message: We are determined to vigorously advance relations between Israel and Somaliland.
Today, we held substantive… pic.twitter.com/hsTUavkxwl

— Gideon Sa'ar | גדעון סער (@gidonsaar) January 6, 2026

Responding to criticism of Israel’s move, Sa’ar noted that “Unlike ‘Palestine,’ Somaliland is not a virtual state. Somaliland is a fully functioning state in every sense, according to the principles of international law. Somaliland has been a stable democracy for nearly 35 years. It holds democratic elections and orderly transfers of power. It is pro-Western and friendly toward Israel.”

“It is a badge of honor for us to be the first UN member state to recognize Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state,” he stated. In addition to Israel, Taiwan, which is not a UN member, has also recognized Somaliland.

The strategically located country also has close relations with Ethiopia and the UAE, with whom it is cooperating to become a key sea port for Ethiopian exports.

Sa’ar further reiterated that “No one will determine for Israel whom to recognize and with whom to maintain diplomatic relations. We recognize the simple truth and the existing reality and hope to see additional countries do the same soon. Somaliland deserves, justly, a place among the nations. This is a natural relationship between two democratic states, both located in challenging regions.”

In his remarks, Abdullahi announced he would accept Prime Minister Netanyahu’s invitation for an official visit to Israel, noting that Sa’ar’s visit is “a significant milestone in the developing relations between Somaliland and the State of Israel.”

He also vowed that relations between the countries would become “a productive, forward-looking, and strategic partnership.”

“We are committed to building a strategic relationship with Israel that will benefit both sides and be based on cooperation in the fields of policy, security, economy, and development. We see this partnership not merely as a political matter, but as a step of historic significance.”

Abdullahi said Sa’ar’s presence “demonstrates leadership and confidence in the future of relations between us. It conveys a strong message that Somaliland and Israel are ready to deepen engagement and act decisively to establish diplomatic infrastructure, including the opening of embassies.”

Later on Tuesday, the Somali foreign ministry condemned Sa’ar’s visit as an “unauthorized incursion,” adding that the visit without the “explicit consent and authorization of the Federal Government of Somalia is illegal, null and void.”