Somaliland to Open Embassy in Jerusalem Next Month

Somaliland's Foreign Ministry announced today (Tuesday) that President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi has approved the establishment of his country's embassy in Jerusalem. The president is expected to arrive in Israel next month and will attend the embassy's opening.

That will make Somaliland the eighth country to open a diplomatic mission in Israel's capital. It was preceded by the United States, Guatemala, Honduras, Kosovo, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, and Fiji. In addition, Samoa is in the process of opening a mission. Argentina has announced that it will do so, but has not yet finalized the move.

After receiving the official notice from Somaliland, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar sent a congratulatory letter to President Abdullahi. Sa'ar praised the courageous and important decision, which is expected to significantly deepen the economic and diplomatic ties between the two countries.

The foreign minister wrote: "I warmly congratulate my friend, Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, on his important and historic decision to establish Somaliland's embassy in Jerusalem, our eternal capital. The opening of the official embassy in the city of Jerusalem will be another significant step in strengthening and integrating relations between the states and the peoples. We will work together, shoulder to shoulder, to implement the decision swiftly, very soon."

At the end of his remarks, the foreign minister addressed the African leader directly and wrote: "Mr. President, we look forward to and are preparing to host you with the honor you deserve very soon here with us in Jerusalem - our eternal capital!".