ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — Israel and Somaliland are looking to expand their newly established relationship, with the two sides discussing economic cooperation and broader bilateral ties during a meeting between their diplomatic representatives in the United Arab Emirates.
Israel’s ambassador to the UAE, Shelley Ben-Nun, said he hosted Somaliland’s representative, Masoud Abdi Ali, for talks focused on the potential for closer economic cooperation following Israel’s decision to recognize Somaliland.
“Today, I had the honor of hosting the Ambassador of the Republic of Somaliland,” Ben-Nun said in a statement, describing the discussions as focused on developing the potential of the two sides’ new relationship.
Israel became the first country to formally recognize Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state on Dec. 26, 2025, a decision that marked a major diplomatic breakthrough for Hargeisa but drew opposition from Somalia and regional organizations.
The relationship has since moved beyond recognition. In April, Israel appointed Michael Lotem as its first ambassador to Somaliland, while Somaliland’s President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi made an official visit to Israel in June. During that visit, the Knesset described it as the first state visit by a Somaliland president to Israel.
Ben-Nun said Ali expressed appreciation for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision and invited her to visit Somaliland. She also called for other countries to follow Israel’s lead in recognizing Somaliland.
For Somaliland, international recognition has long been a central foreign-policy objective. The territory has operated with its own government and institutions since declaring its separation from Somalia in 1991, but Israel’s move was the first formal recognition of its independence by a United Nations member state.
The emerging relationship has also generated concern in Mogadishu and across the region. Somalia maintains that Somaliland remains part of its sovereign territory, while the Intergovernmental Authority on Development has reaffirmed its support for Somalia’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The diplomatic opening is now entering a more practical phase, with both sides signaling interest in economic cooperation and other areas of mutual interest. The question for Somaliland is whether Israel’s recognition will lead to wider international support, while for Israel, the partnership offers another diplomatic relationship in a strategically important part of the Horn of Africa.
