Somaliland opened its embassy in Jerusalem during the president's historic June 2026 visit to Israel. Marking the region's first diplomatic mission abroad, it is now the eighth embassy in Jerusalem. This follows Israel's landmark recognition of Somaliland's independence in December 2025. The two countries are strengthening relations with mutual embassies and cooperation in key sectors. Somaliland has maintained peace and democratic governance since declaring independence from Somalia in 1991.
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Somaliland opened its embassy in Jerusalem on Monday, Israel’s foreign ministry announced, months after Israel became the first country to recognise the breakaway African state’s independence.
“Honoured to host my dear friend President @Abdirahmanirro at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during his historic State Visit to open Somaliland’s embassy in Jerusalem,” Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar posted on X, during the first-ever state visit of President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi.
“I’m proud of the privilege I had to write the first pages in the story of the Israel-Somaliland relationship,” Saar added.
Somaliland is the eighth country to open its embassy in Jerusalem, following the United States, Guatemala, Honduras, Kosovo, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay and Fiji.
Most foreign diplomatic missions to Israel are located in Tel Aviv, as the status of Jerusalem is one of the thorniest issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
In December, Israel became the first country to recognise the independence of Somaliland since it declared its autonomy from Somalia in 1991 following a civil war. - AFP