Somaliland opens embassy in Jerusalem, drawing OIC condemnation and diplomatic backlash

Jerusalem- Somaliland opened an embassy in Jerusalem on Monday during a state visit by President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, marking a significant diplomatic step following Israel’s recognition of the breakaway African territory earlier this year, according to statements from Israeli officials.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said on social media platform X that he hosted President Abdullahi during a visit to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for what he described as a “historic State Visit” to inaugurate Somaliland’s embassy in Jerusalem. He added that the move marked the beginning of formal bilateral relations between the two sides.

Israel’s President Isaac Herzog also met the Somaliland leader during the visit, with both leaders appearing together in Jerusalem, according to images and official accounts from the meeting.

Somaliland, which declared autonomy from Somalia in 1991 following a civil war but is not widely recognized internationally, becomes the eighth country to open an embassy in Jerusalem, joining a list that includes the United States and several smaller states.

The opening has drawn strong criticism from the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which said the move violated international law and relevant United Nations resolutions. The OIC reiterated its position that Israel has no sovereignty over Jerusalem and that attempts to alter the city’s legal or political status are considered null and void.

Jerusalem remains one of the most sensitive issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with most countries maintaining embassies in Tel Aviv due to disputed claims over the city.

Israel formally recognised Somaliland’s independence in December, according to the report, further deepening ties between the two sides ahead of the embassy opening.