More than three decades after declaring independence
By Sammy,
More than three decades after declaring independence, Somaliland is hosting Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar on the first official visit by an Israeli leader since Jerusalem formally recognized the territory as a sovereign state.
Senior Somaliland officials say Sa'ar was welcomed in Hargeisa by members of the local leadership and is scheduled to hold talks later today with President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi. Israel's Foreign Ministry has not issued any public statement about the visit.
Israel became the first UN member state last month to recognize the Republic of Somaliland, a move that drew condemnation from Somalia, criticism across parts of the Middle East and Africa, and a rebuke from the European Union. Somaliland broke away from Somalia in 1991 and has operated as a de facto state ever since, with its position on the Gulf of Aden opposite Houthi-held areas of Yemen adding to its strategic importance.
Topics: Yemen & Red Sea, Diplomacy
Reported by Sammy for Bernie News Network. See our editorial standards and corrections policy.