MOGADISHU: Israel’s overseas minister arrived in Somaliland on Tuesday (Jan 6) within the first high-profile go to by an Israeli official because the nation recognised the breakaway area within the Horn of Africa, the Somaliland presidency mentioned.
Israel introduced final month it was officially recognising Somaliland, a primary for the self-proclaimed republic that in 1991 declared it had unilaterally separated from Somalia.
“A delegation led by the Israel International Minister Gideon Saar landed on the Hargeisa city, he was acquired on the airport by senior authorities officers. He had conferences with the Somaliland high officers,” the presidency mentioned in an announcement.
Somaliland, which has for many years sought worldwide recognition, enjoys a strategic place on the Gulf of Aden and has its personal forex, passport and armed forces.
Israel’s recognition of the breakaway area drew widespread criticism from Africa and Muslim-majority nations, which described the transfer as an assault on Somali sovereignty.
The European Union has additionally insisted that Somalia’s sovereignty needs to be revered.
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud condemned the choice as a “menace” to the steadiness within the Horn of Africa.
In an interview with Al Jazeera, he mentioned Somaliland had accepted three situations from Israel: the resettlement of Palestinians, the institution of a navy base on the Gulf of Aden, and becoming a member of the Abraham Accords to normalise ties with Israel.
However Somaliland’s overseas ministry denied the primary two situations.
