NAIROBI — The Somaliland Mission in Kenya has received Israeli Ambassador to Kenya, Gideon Behar, for a courtesy visit at the Mission’s offices in Nairobi, marking another step in the deepening engagement between the two sides .
Ambassador Behar met with Somaliland’s Ambassador to Kenya, Dr. Mohamed Omar, and Deputy Ambassador Sharmake Geelle for what the Mission described as “an engaging exchange on matters of mutual interest and the importance of continued dialogue and cooperation.” The Somaliland Mission stated that it values such engagements as they continue to strengthen relations and deepen understanding with partners in Kenya and beyond.
The visit comes amid growing diplomatic engagement between Israel and the Horn of Africa region, following Israel’s formal recognition of Somaliland in December 2025. The official trip by Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (Irro) and his delegation to Israel has drawn significant international attention and is broadly regarded as an important move toward stronger bilateral relations .
Media analyses said talks between Somaliland and Israeli officials centered on broadening cooperation in strategic areas viewed as important to the long-term interests of both sides. The discussions reportedly examined prospects for joint work in security, trade, investment, technology, agriculture, and institutional development .
Deepening Security and Diplomatic Ties
Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz has said that his country has worked with Somaliland discreetly for years, as he met with the leader of the breakaway region following Israel’s recognition of Somaliland’s independence. “Israel and Somaliland share a longstanding friendship rooted in common interests, democratic values, and a commitment to security and stability. For many years, we have cooperated quietly in a number of activities that will remain confidential,” Katz said .
The talks centered on ways to “strengthen security, economic, and political cooperation between the two countries,” following a series of high-level engagements, including Israel’s formal acceptance of Somaliland’s first ambassador, Dr. Mohamed Hagi, and Somaliland’s decision to open an embassy in Jerusalem .
Investigative reports have indicated that Israel has established an intelligence presence at Berbera International Airport in Somaliland and is holding ongoing discussions with authorities about the possible creation of an Israeli military base . According to Drop Site News, multiple current and former officials confirmed that Israel already has an intelligence footprint at Berbera Airport, with a unit of Somaliland’s presidential guard having returned from training in Israel .
The base under discussion would give Israel a military foothold on a crucial waterway near the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a maritime chokepoint comparable in importance to the Strait of Hormuz. Yemen’s Houthi movement has already closed the Red Sea to Israeli ships and has threatened to close the strait entirely amid regional tensions .
Somaliland President Irro has rejected claims that Israel is establishing military bases or intelligence facilities in the breakaway region, even as he confirmed that security cooperation between the two sides is expanding. “At the moment, Israel has no troops in Somaliland, but I cannot say what may happen in the future,” Irro said .
The defense minister acknowledged that Somaliland and Israel already cooperate on security matters, including Israeli training for Somaliland’s military and police personnel, but he said the relationship does not include plans for permanent Israeli military installations. His remarks appear intended to separate security cooperation from the creation of foreign military infrastructure .
Somaliland’s Diplomatic Offensive
Israel has appointed its first ambassador to Somaliland, Michael Lotem, a seasoned diplomat who previously served as Israel’s ambassador to Kenya, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan. The appointment follows Israel’s controversial recognition of Somaliland in December 2025 .
In exchange for diplomatic recognition, Somaliland anticipates finalizing a trade agreement soon with Israel and is prepared to offer rights to valuable mineral deposits as part of the arrangement. President Irro confirmed that his administration expects to conclude a “partnership agreement” shortly, exchanging natural resources including minerals, oil, gas, and marine products for Israeli technology and investment .
Somaliland has highlighted its substantial reserves of lithium, a critical component for batteries and electric vehicles, as a key asset. President Irro has revealed that he accepted an invitation from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to visit Israel .
The deepening ties have drawn sharp condemnation from Mogadishu. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has vowed to confront any Israeli military presence in Somaliland, warning that a base would not serve defensive purposes but would facilitate involvement in foreign conflicts. The Somali government has repeatedly cautioned Israel over its engagement with Somaliland, describing it as a violation of its sovereignty and a threat to regional stability .
The African Union, IGAD, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Iraq, China and others have all rejected the move. Even the United States, while not formally condemning the recognition, has reaffirmed its “One Somalia” policy and declined to follow Israel’s lead .
A Western diplomat told AFP earlier this year that “there is a widespread assumption that there is already an Israeli military or security presence in the country.” Former Somali intelligence chief Fahad Yasin has argued that the recognition carries no legal weight, noting that it was not passed by the Israeli executive or the Knesset and has no basis in Israel’s own charters or laws .
Critical Note
The courtesy visit between the Somaliland Mission and Ambassador Behar reflects the deepening engagement between Israel and the breakaway region, following Israel’s formal recognition of Somaliland in December 2025. While Somaliland has welcomed this diplomatic breakthrough, the move has drawn sharp criticism from Somalia’s Federal Government, which has accused Israel of violating its sovereignty and territorial integrity. The opening of a representative office in Jerusalem and the signing of a military cooperation agreement have further solidified ties between the two.
However, Israel’s growing engagement in the Horn of Africa, including its recognition of Somaliland and cooperation with Kenya, raises questions about the geopolitical motivations behind these diplomatic moves. Critics have argued that Israel’s actions in the region reflect strategic positioning rather than purely economic cooperation. The reports of an Israeli intelligence presence at Berbera Airport and ongoing discussions about a military base have raised concerns about regional stability.
The Somaliland Mission’s willingness to engage with Israeli diplomats, while seen as a step toward greater international recognition, risks further straining relations with the Federal Government of Somalia and complicating efforts toward national reconciliation. The Somali government has repeatedly warned that any foreign engagement with Somaliland undermines its territorial integrity and could destabilise the region. The international community must carefully navigate these competing interests, recognising that diplomatic engagement with breakaway regions without the consent of the central government sets a dangerous precedent for other separatist movements across Africa.
