Description: During an official state visit to the country, the President of the breakaway region of Somaliland, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, announced that Somaliland would officially open its embassy in Jerusalem, which is still considered contested territory. Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, praised the decision and announced that Israel and Somaliland would continue to closely cooperate on vital strategic principles. Somaliland’s move follows Israel’s official recognition of the country which made Israel the first country to do so, drawing criticism from Turkey, Saudi Arabia, China and the African Union. Somaliland’s President stated that his country represented a strategic location for its vast natural resources, primarily rare earth minerals and oil, while its proximity to the Red Sea, made it a valuable maritime shipping transit corridor. Somaliland broke away from Somalia in 1991, and has managed to keep relative stability, introduced its own currency and formed its own security forces.
Impact: Israel’s recognition of Somaliland last year, coupled with extending diplomatic, trade and security partnerships, are highly likely due to Somaliland’s strategic location which could be exploited for access to the Red Sea. Israel has prioritized Somaliland due its relative stability and would most likely establish enhanced intelligence and military presence in the country in the long – term in return for providing Somaliland with its expertise in technological advancements, renewable energy, healthcare and cybersecurity. The partnership also provides Israel with extended access to natural resources such as oil and rare earth minerals, both critical for sustaining the country’s demanding energy sector and highly advanced technological sector. Israel’s presence in the region would likely raise tensions with Turkey, which is a close partner of the Mogadishu – government in Somalia and extend the adversarial stance from both countries in the mid to long – term.