The president of Somaliland, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, is expected to visit Israel later this month, where he is reportedly set to take steps toward joining the Abraham Accords, according to media reports.
Sources cited by media said Abdullahi plans to formally align Somaliland with the US-backed normalisation framework during the visit. The Abraham Accords, first signed in 2020 by Israel, the UAE, and Bahrain, were later joined by Morocco. The agreements remain widely unpopular across the Arab world and are strongly opposed by Palestinians, who see them as undermining their cause.
The reported visit follows Israel’s recent recognition of Somaliland as an independent state, a move announced on 26 December. Somaliland has been self-governing since 1991 but is not internationally recognised, and Israel remains the only country to have formally acknowledged its independence. The decision drew widespread regional and international criticism.
Somaliland occupies a strategic position along the Gulf of Aden in northern Somalia, and reports have circulated suggesting Israel may seek to establish a military presence in the territory. These reports have heightened regional concerns over security and sovereignty.
Somalia’s federal government has sharply condemned Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, reiterating that the country’s territorial integrity is non-negotiable. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said this week that Somaliland had maintained undisclosed ties with Israel prior to recognition and claimed it was considering Israeli requests related to Palestinians displaced from Gaza, allegations that Somaliland authorities have denied.
In response, Somaliland officials said their relationship with Israel is purely diplomatic and conducted in accordance with international law, rejecting claims of secret arrangements or plans involving displaced Palestinians.
During the visit, Abdullahi is also expected to sign a series of bilateral agreements covering sectors such as agriculture, mining, oil, security, infrastructure, and tourism. Media reports added that the Somaliland president has previously travelled to Israel on an undisclosed visit.
While no official date has been confirmed, the visit is expected to take place in mid-January. The Arab League has described Israel’s recognition of Somaliland as a threat to international peace and security, warning that it reflects broader political, security, and economic ambitions that are widely rejected in the region.