DAVOS — The President of Somaliland, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi “Irro”, held high-profile meetings with Israeli President Isaac Herzog and Eric Trump, son of U.S. President Donald Trump, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum’s 2026 annual meeting in Switzerland.
According to Somaliland’s state television, the discussions focused on diplomatic engagement and exploring potential investment opportunities for the self-declared republic. President Irro also reportedly engaged in talks with other international business leaders attending the summit.
Confirmation on Social Media
President Herzog confirmed the encounter on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), expressing his support for establishing formal diplomatic ties with Somaliland and anticipating enhanced collaboration between the two nations.
This meeting follows several days of speculation regarding President Irro’s whereabouts after reports indicated he had traveled abroad without initially revealing his destination. On Wednesday, the President shared photographs on social media, inside a VIP helicopter and in another beside the helicopter, against a mountainous backdrop that analysts quickly identified as the Swiss Alps.
Diplomatic Context
The engagement in Davos comes amid heightened diplomatic activity in the Horn of Africa. Israel granted recognition to Somaliland last month, a decision that has faced significant opposition from various international stakeholders and the Federal Government of Somalia.
Officials in Mogadishu have condemned the move, stating it violates international law and could escalate tensions in the region. The Federal Government reiterates that it considers Somaliland an integral part of its territory and views these diplomatic overtures as a violation of its sovereignty.
