Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has arrived on a visit to the East African region of Somaliland. On the Platform X The Ministry of Information said that Saar and his delegation were received by members of the cabinet when they landed at the airport in Hargeisa, the capital of Somaliland.
Saar was expected to meet with Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi at the presidential palace later in the day. The ministry describes the visit as a milestone in bilateral relations. It was the first visit by a senior Israeli representative, since Israel recognized the breakaway territory as a sovereign state. Somaliland is part of Somalia under international law.
Last week Israel had Somaliland recognized as an independent and sovereign state. This step is controversial and was criticized by the African Union, among others. More than 20 countries, mostly from the Middle East and Africa, as well as the Organization of Islamic Cooperation rejected it Israel decision. The government of Somalia said Somaliland remains an integral part of Somali territory.
