Somaliland’s embassy in Israel is to be located in Jerusalem.
Mohamed Hagi, the ambassador of the Somalian region, announced the move on X on Tuesday.
Somaliland declared its independence from Somalia in 1991, but was not recognized by any country until December last year when Israel did so.
Several regional powers condemned the Jewish state’s move and Somalia firmly rejects Israel’s recognition of its breakaway northern region, which is predominantly Muslim.
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Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar spoke on X of an important decision that was a “significant further step” in strengthening relations between the two countries. Somaliland is the eighth state to have its diplomatic representation in Jerusalem.
The status of Jerusalem under international law is disputed. Israel refers to the whole of Jerusalem as the country’s “eternal capital”, whilst the Palestinians lay claim to East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state.
Most embassies in Israel are therefore in Tel Aviv.
