Somaliland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdirahman Dahir, has defended his country’s growing relationship with Israel, insisting that Somaliland alone will determine its foreign policy and international partnerships.
Speaking in an interview with Kan News, Dahir said Somaliland would not allow external actors to dictate its diplomatic choices.
“Somaliland will independently determine its own course and freely choose the partnerships it pursues. No external force will dictate our actions or influence the relationships we establish. Somaliland remains steadfast in safeguarding its sovereignty and advancing partnerships founded on mutual respect and shared interests,” he said.
The minister’s remarks come amid escalating tensions between Somalia and Israel following Somaliland’s deepening engagement with the Jewish state.
Somalia recently warned Israel against what it described as interference in its affairs after Somaliland opened its first overseas embassy in Jerusalem this week.
The move follows Israel’s formal recognition of Somaliland in December 2025, making it the first country to officially recognize the territory’s independence from Somalia.
The diplomatic row has intensified following a landmark visit by Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi to Israel.
According to reports, the president arrived in Jerusalem on Sunday for what was described as the first state visit by a Somaliland leader since Israel’s recognition.
During the visit, Somaliland and Israel signed a strategic cooperation agreement and held high-level discussions aimed at expanding collaboration in security, trade and regional affairs.
For Somaliland, the partnership is viewed as a significant step toward broader international recognition after more than three decades of self-rule.
Israel, meanwhile, sees increasing strategic importance in the Horn of Africa, particularly amid security concerns along the Red Sea and disruptions linked to Yemen’s Houthi movement.
Despite criticism from Mogadishu, Dahir’s latest comments signal that Somaliland intends to continue pursuing its diplomatic agenda independently, arguing that its international engagements are based on sovereign interests and mutual benefit rather than external pressure.