“You Will See Israeli Flags Waving in Our Cities”
Republic of Somaliland’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Israel, Dr. Mohammad Haji, has hailed the new ties with Israel as a historic, long-term strategic partnership promising deep economic, technological, and security cooperation.
In a landmark interview on the “Ask Khalif Anything” podcast, Ambassador Mohammad Haji, painted a vivid picture of a resilient, self-made nation charting its own path in one of the world’s most volatile regions.
In a compelling interview, the veteran diplomat — who earlier served as Somaliland’s first ambassador to Taiwan— recounted his nation’s inspiring journey of self-reliance. Haji played a pivotal role in creating the country’s coast guard to protect 850 km of coastline, advised on macroeconomic policy and foreign affairs, and has been a driving force in institution-building.
Somaliland, a peaceful and democratic country of 6.5 million people, reclaimed its independence in 1991 after a devastating war with Somalia that claimed 200,000 lives and razed cities including the capital Hargeisa. Through a uniquely homegrown social contract, its people demobilized their own militias, funded peace initiatives themselves, and forged a hybrid democracy that blends modern institutions with traditional conflict resolution. The young republic has achieved multiple peaceful transfers of power, highlighted by a 2003 presidential election settled by a razor-thin 80-vote margin.
Lacking UN recognition and excluded from international banking systems like SWIFT, Somaliland has nevertheless built a robust, 95% private-sector economy featuring world-class mobile money services such as Dahabshiil, some of the fastest and cheapest internet on the continent, and major foreign investment — most notably DP World’s transformation of Berbera Port into a world-class hub.
Strategically located along the Gulf of Aden near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, Berbera serves as a crucial gateway for Ethiopia’s 130 million people and 16 landlocked African nations.
Ambassador Haji noted that Israel was the first country to recognize Somaliland upon its independence in 1960 — and the first to do so again recently — forging a special emotional bond. Cooperation launched rapidly, with Somaliland water experts arriving in Israel for training almost immediately after formal accreditation.
“We are building a strategic partnership that can last forever,” Haji declared. Somaliland brings abundant natural resources — oil, gas, rare earth minerals — a 177,000 sq km territory, and unmatched location advantages. Israel contributes cutting-edge technology, innovation, and expertise. Key areas of collaboration include trade, agriculture, water management, economic development, and joint efforts against shared threats such as terrorism and piracy.
Haji painted a vivid picture of genuine people-to-people warmth. He described an Israeli engineer being embraced and welcomed at the presidential palace right after the announcement and confidently predicted Israeli flags flying across Somaliland’s cities. He firmly stated the relationship transcends religion.
“We are 99.99% Muslim, yet we partner successfully with the United States and Taiwan, whose populations are mostly Christian,” he said. “This is about mutual interests, trade, knowledge transfer, stability, and innovation — nothing to do with religion.”
On security, Somaliland boasts a flawless counter-piracy record since 2005 by keeping its territory stable and secure. While no formal foreign military bases currently exist, Haji expressed readiness for practical cooperation with Israel, the US, UAE, and other like-minded partners to safeguard critical Red Sea and Gulf of Aden shipping lanes amid Houthi threats.
With Berbera Port emerging as a potential regional linchpin attracting interest from the UAE, India, and Israel, Ambassador Haji expressed confidence that Somaliland and Israel are building what could become “one of the best special relationships in the world” — rooted in pragmatism, resilience, and shared ambition.