Somaliland to open embassy in Jerusalem, Israel in Hargeisa: Envoy

The move comes months after Israel officially recognised the independence of Somalia’s breakaway region.Somaliland will open an embassy in Jerusalem and Israel will establish its representation in Hargeisa “soon”, according to Mohamed Hagi, the ambassador of Somalia’s breakaway region to Israel.The development, which comes months after Israel officially recognised the independence of Somaliland, reflects “growing friendship, mutual respect, and strategic cooperation between our two peoples”, Hagi said in a statement on X on Tuesday.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Somaliland minister says US may access its minerals, military bases: Reportlist 2 of 3AU summit tackles climate change and Somaliland tensionslist 3 of 3What’s Netanyahu’s planned ‘hexagon’ alliance – and can it work?end of listIsraeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar welcomed the announcement, calling it a “significant step” in strengthening relations between the two. “We will work together to implement this decision soon,” he said on X.In December last year, Israel became the first country in the world to recognise Somaliland, ending more than 30 years of diplomatic isolation.The decision has drawn wide condemnation from the UN Security Council, the African Union, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, and the European Union.Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991, but it has failed to gain recognition from any United Nations member state. The region controls the northwestern portion of what was once the British Protectorate in northern Somalia.Somalia has never accepted Somaliland’s independence.Saar visited Hargeisa in January, and Somaliland subsequently sent a delegation from its water ministry to Israel for training in water management.Hagi, also a presidential adviser, was central to brokering the recognition.Somaliland’s would be the eighth embassy located in Jerusalem, following the US, Guatemala, Kosovo, Honduras, Paraguay, Papua New Guinea and Fiji.