Somaliland to become second Muslim country to open Jerusalem embassy in deal with Israel

MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Somaliland has officially announced it will open its first embassy in Jerusalem, recognizing the disputed city as the capital of Israel. The major geopolitical shift establishes a highly controversial alliance in the Horn of Africa, sending diplomatic shockwaves across Somalia, the Red Sea corridor, and the wider Muslim world.

The breakaway Republic of Somaliland will become only the second Muslim-majority territory to place an embassy in Jerusalem, following Kosovo’s move in March 2021.

The decision follows Israel’s historic move on December 26, 2025, when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signed a joint declaration making Israel the first United Nations member state to formally recognize Somaliland’s independence. In a reciprocal arrangement, Israel will establish a permanent embassy in Hargeisa, Somaliland’s capital.

Hargeisa and Jerusalem Solidify Bilateral Relations

Somaliland’s newly appointed ambassador to Israel, Dr. Mohamed Hagi, confirmed the diplomatic development on Tuesday after presenting his credentials to Israeli President Isaac Herzog at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem.

“I am pleased to announce that the Republic of Somaliland’s Embassy will be located in Jerusalem — the embassy will be opened soon,” Ambassador Hagi stated. “Israel will also establish its embassy in Hargeisa, reflecting growing friendship, mutual respect, and strategic cooperation between our two peoples.”

The announcement was warmly received by Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, who had previously made a groundbreaking state visit to Hargeisa.

Writing on social media platform X, Sa’ar commended Somaliland’s President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (Abdirahman Irro) on the “important decision to establish Somaliland’s embassy in our eternal capital.”

“The opening of the embassy in Jerusalem will be another significant step in strengthening relations between our countries and nations,” Sa’ar noted, adding that the upcoming facility will make Somaliland the eighth country to house an embassy in Jerusalem.

The Strategic Red Sea Geopolitics Behind the Deal

Somaliland declared independence from the Federal Republic of Somalia in May 1991 following a devastating civil war. While it operates as a de facto sovereign nation with its own currency, military, and democratic elections, it spent over three decades lacking formal international recognition until the late 2025 accord with Israel.

The alliance comes at a time of severe regional volatility. Intelligence reports indicate that Israel has evaluated options for a strategic security presence at the Port of Berbera to secure vital maritime shipping corridors against Houthi missile and drone attacks. For Somaliland, the immediate domestic benefits include specialized high-tech training in agriculture and science, alongside security collaboration.

Severe Backlash Across the Muslim World and Somalia

Somaliland’s choice of Jerusalem for its diplomatic mission bypasses the decades-long international consensus that foreign embassies should remain in Tel Aviv until the status of East Jerusalem is determined via Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations.

Because Jerusalem contains the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound – the third-holiest site in Islam – the decision places Somaliland’s leadership under direct scrutiny from Arab and Islamic nations. Mogadishu has capitalized on this domestic and regional discontent, working alongside regional allies like Turkey to condemn the bilateral ties as a destabilizing factor in the Horn of Africa.

The African Union (AU) and the European Union have reaffirmed their commitment to a “One Somalia” policy, emphasizing the territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia. How President Irro’s administration will navigate the fierce backlash from the Arab League and neighboring African states remains a major question mark as both Hargeisa and Jerusalem prepare to open their respective doors.

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