Somaliland — a self-declared state recognized only by Israel — now seeks to deepen its ties with Jerusalem beyond diplomacy.

The president of Somaliland, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi, is expected to make his first official visit to Israel at the end of March, according to two sources familiar with the matter.

However, this will not be his first time in the country. The president previously made a discreet visit to Israel during earlier diplomatic contacts that led to Israel’s formal recognition of Somaliland in December 2025. Those quiet negotiations preceded the current warming of relations between the two sides.