Somaliland’s president has held discussions with the presidents of Israel and a son of the former U.S. president, as the breakaway region seeks greater international recognition and foreign investment.
Somaliland Seeks Investment and Recognition
Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, president of Somaliland, met with Isaac Herzog and businessman Eric Trump at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Abdullahi shared on X that discussions with Herzog focused on “strengthening and advancing bilateral relations between the Republic of Somaliland and the State of Israel.”
Israel became the first country to recognize Somaliland last month, 35 years after the region declared independence from Somalia.
President Abdullahi, known as “Cirro” in Somaliland, posted images of a closed-door meeting, reportedly organized by the Greek House Davos program. Adviser Abdirahman Bayle told the BBC that Eric Trump “expressed interest in Somaliland and the opportunities it offers.”
Bayle added that discussions included potential global investors in the livestock and agriculture sectors, with the goal of industrializing those sectors for export. Livestock is currently the territory’s main export, primarily to Saudi Arabia.
Eric Trump holds a senior role at the Trump Organization but does not have an official position within the U.S. government. His representatives have not yet responded to a BBC request for comment.
Somaliland is strategically located on major Red Sea and Gulf of Aden shipping routes. During the talks, the president highlighted Somaliland’s openness to investment, particularly the deep-water port of Berbera as a potential logistics hub for trade and energy infrastructure.
Bayle stated that Somaliland is now offering its resources rather than seeking aid. “For the first time, we are not asking the world for aid,” he said. “We are offering our resources.”
Israeli President Herzog described the talks as positive, posting on X that he welcomed the establishment of diplomatic relations and looked forward to deepening cooperation. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar visited Somaliland earlier this month, stating Israel was determined to advance relations “with momentum.”
Somaliland has maintained self-governance since breaking away from Somalia in 1991, holding its own elections, issuing its own currency, and building its own security forces. However, its independence wasn’t internationally recognized until Israel’s recent decision, which drew criticism from Somalia, the African Union, China, and Turkey, citing concerns over Somalia’s territorial integrity. The U.S. defended Israel’s move, accusing critics of double standards.
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