Somaliland delegation visits Israel after historic recognition, eyes water tech partnership

The first delegation from Somaliland arrived in Israel on Monday for an official visit, led by the Director General of the Somaliland Water Ministry, Aden Abdullah Abdullah, along with other senior officials. The purpose of the visit is to strengthen diplomatic relations following Jerusalem's official recognition of the African country in December 2025.

Somaliland – an arid country facing chronic water shortages – is reportedly seeking to study Israel’s advanced water technologies. As part of the visit, the delegation toured the National Center for Water Education and Innovation at the Shafdan wastewater treatment complex in Rishon LeZion, in central Israel.

The facility includes training rooms and advanced laboratories focused on water recycling, energy efficiency, and climate resilience. The visit is intended to present practical solutions to Somaliland's decision-makers to address the country’s water scarcity challenges.

Somaliland, with a population of over 6 million, declared its independence from Somalia almost 30 years ago. While it has existed in practice as an independent state for decades, no country recognized it until Israel's official recognition last December.

“The State of Israel plans to immediately expand its relations with the Republic of Somaliland through extensive cooperation in the fields of agriculture, health, technology, and economy,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in December during a phone call with Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi.

Somaliland’s leader welcomed his country's recognition and envisioned the establishment of mutually beneficial strategic relations with the Jewish state. 

“This step marks the beginning of a strategic partnership that advances mutual interests, strengthens regional peace and security, and delivers shared benefits to all stakeholders, without prejudice to any party.”

The impoverished nation of Somaliland is likely to benefit considerably from Israel’s expertise and advanced technologies, not only in water management but also in agriculture and other sectors.

Strategically located in the Horn of Africa, Somaliland is close to Yemen, from where the Iranian-backed Houthis have fired hundreds of missiles and drones against Israel since the Hamas attack on Oct. 7, 2023.

Some analysts speculate that Israel seeks to establish a military intelligence presence in the area to bolster its capabilities against the Houthis. However, Somaliland has denied that it will allow Israeli forces to use its territory for potential operations.

Israel's recognition of Somaliland sparked international criticism and condemnations. 

“The European Union reaffirms the importance of respecting the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia pursuant to its constitution, as well as the charters of the African Union and the United Nations,” the EU stated in December. 

Muslim-majority states went further, accusing Israel of undermining international law through its unilateral recognition of Somaliland. In a joint statement, they also stressed “the full rejection of any potential link between such a measure and any attempts to forcibly expel the Palestinian people from their land.”

The Somaliland government has denied speculation that it would absorb refugees from the Gaza Strip. 

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar last month became the highest-ranking Israeli official to visit Somaliland, just weeks after Jerusalem formally recognized the African state.

Sa'ar stressed that Israel’s recognition was not directed against Somalia or any other country. 

"Only Israel will determine for itself who it recognizes," Sa’ar stated.