By Zakaria Hassan - Reporter
Somalia, 1 January 2026 Media reports say President of Somaliland, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi ‘Irro’, is planning an official visit to Israel later this month, during which he is expected to sign the so-called Abraham Accords.
According to the Turkish state-run news agency Anadolu, citing Israeli media outlets, Irro is also expected to sign several agreements while in Israel, covering cooperation in agriculture, mining, oil, security, infrastructure, and tourism.
Israeli media further claimed that the Somaliland President had previously visited Israel, but that the trip was conducted secretly.
Other sources said Israel has confirmed that talks are underway regarding the visit, though no official date has been announced so far. The visit, sources noted, is expected to take place during the second week of January.
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On 26 December, last year, Israel announced that it had formally recognized Somaliland as an “independent and sovereign state,” becoming the first country to take such a step since Somaliland declared unilateral independence from Somalia in 1991.
The move has triggered widespread regional and international condemnation, particularly from the Arab League, which described the decision as illegal and a threat to peace and security in the region.
For its part, the Federal Government of Somalia has reiterated its firm rejection of Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, stressing that Somalia’s unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity are non-negotiable.
