Israel’s Deputy Ambassador to Ethiopia Praises Somaliland
Israel is seeking to deepen ties with Somaliland following its recognition of the territory as an independent state in December 2025, with Israeli officials pointing to potential cooperation in agriculture, logistics, and infrastructure as part of a broader push tied to its highly controversial move to become the first country to recognize Somaliland.
Speaking to The Reporter Ethiopia, Israel’s deputy ambassador to Ethiopia, Tomer Bar-Lavi, said recent high-level talks between Israeli and Somaliland business leaders in Addis Ababa had produced positive initial engagement and could pave the way for future investment discussions.
“There were some initial meetings and they were very positive,” Bar-Lavi said. “We saw that the sentiment is there, and it’s very positive on both sides.”
He said Israeli companies were prepared to support Somaliland in sectors including agriculture, logistics, infrastructure, and medicine, though any future projects would depend on commercial demand.
“Our businesses are demand-driven,” he said. “They can provide whatever the other side needs regarding agriculture, logistics, infrastructure, medicine, and beyond.”
Israel’s recognition of Somaliland has attracted attention across the Horn of Africa and the wider international community. Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991 following the collapse of the Somali central government, has since maintained de facto autonomy with its own government, security forces, currency, and domestic institutions.
Despite functioning as a self-governing territory for more than three decades, Somaliland has struggled to gain formal international recognition. Israel’s decision to recognize Somaliland therefore marked a historic diplomatic breakthrough for Hargeisa, making Israel the first country to officially acknowledge Somaliland as a “sovereign state.” The move has sparked diplomatic backlash from Somalia, which continues to regard Somaliland as part of its territory, as well as from several of Somalia’s allies and many Muslim-majority countries that have criticized Israel’s decision and condemned the recognition as a violation of Somalia’s territorial integrity.
Since the recognition announcement, relations between Tel Aviv and Hargeisa have expanded. Last month, Israel announced the appointment of a non-resident ambassador to Somaliland. In addition, officials from both governments have exchanged diplomatic correspondence concerning potential trade opportunities, investment projects, and broader economic partnerships.
Bar-Lavi told The Reporter that Israel viewed the move as recognition of “a reality which has existed on the ground” and described Somaliland as “a stable new partner in the Horn of Africa.”
Asked whether the decision could complicate Israel’s ties with Ethiopia or other African states, Bar-Lavi said each country pursued its own strategic interests and argued that Somaliland’s inclusion in regional diplomacy should be viewed positively.
“In our view, we are recognizing a reality which has existed,” he said. “This is a moderate country which has been de facto independent for decades, fighting terrorism.”
He added that Somaliland had expressed interest in joining international frameworks such as the Abraham Accords, which Israel sees as promoting regional cooperation.
“Israel has very good relations with the vast majority of Sub-Saharan African states and adding one more such state is, in our view, a very positive move that should be taken as an example by others,” Bar-Lavi said.
Though much of the relationship between Israel and Somaliland has remained opaque, developments in recent months have drawn increasing attention, particularly following the appointment of ambassadors representing Tel Aviv and Hargeisa. Israel has shown growing interest in expanding its security footprint in the Horn of Africa, a region that has become a battleground for competition among emerging Middle Eastern powers. The United Arab Emirates, which has long maintained significant influence in both Somaliland and Puntland, has also been linked to plans for a multi-country military network across the region, including in Somaliland.
According to a recent report by Le Monde, Berbera Airport is undergoing a major but low-profile military redevelopment involving several international actors. Drawing on satellite imagery and security sources, the newspaper reported that extensive construction took place between late 2025 and early 2026, coinciding with Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, including buried structures believed to be fortified fuel or ammunition storage sites, as well as elevated installations thought to support air defense systems similar to those seen in other Emirati-backed facilities in the region.
The report noted that the project is being led by the UAE under its defense partnership with Somaliland, while sources also allege that the development serves the strategic interests of both the United States and Israel. Le Monde also reported that Somaliland intelligence officials have quietly received training in Tel Aviv and that Israeli intelligence personnel have recently visited Berbera, reinforcing earlier reports of growing security cooperation between the two sides.
Although neither the UAE, Israel, nor Somaliland has officially acknowledged the existence of a military base in Berbera, Abu Dhabi already maintains extensive control over the port through a $400 million investment agreement signed with Somaliland authorities. The UAE has also been linked to a similar military facility in Puntland’s Bosaso, which has reportedly served as a transit hub for military logistics and mercenary operations connected to Abu Dhabi’s support for the RSF in Sudan. Somaliland officials, meanwhile, have not ruled out the possibility that military cooperation could become part of broader relations with Israel.
The remarks made by Bar-Lavi reflects the deepening ties between Hargeisa and Tel Aviv, despite widespread criticism from Somalia’s allies, the African Union, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and several members of the Gulf Cooperation Council. Somaliland’s president recently described Israel as a “reliable partner.” Previously, the president had praised Israel’s decisions and signaled his administration’s willingness to further strengthen and deepen relations between the two sides.