President Abdullahi Says Somaliland Has Open Channels with Trump Administration on Recognition
Republic of Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (Irro) says his nation is maintaining open diplomatic channels with the United States and Ethiopia in a bid to secure further international recognition.
He spoke about these priorities during an interview with television network i24NEWS in Jerusalem on June 18, 2026. Irro’s official visit follows Israel’s formal decision to recognize Somaliland late last year.
When asked about communication channels with US President Donald Trump regarding diplomatic recognition, President Abdullahi stated, “we have open channels.”
He also confirmed that regional nations, specifically Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Kenya, remain top priorities for Hargeisa’s foreign policy.
“They are, and we have open channels for them as well,” Abdullahi said.
The diplomatic push occurs as Somaliland establishes its presence in Israel. During the interview, Abdullahi addressed the historical context of bilateral relations, noting that Israel recognized Somaliland on June 26, 1960, when the nation gained independence from British colonial rule.
Israel recognized Somaliland for a second time on December 26, 2025, following a written request sent by President to 193 nations in May that year. According to Abdullahi, Israel acted as the sole respondent to the request, basing its foreign policy decisions on regional realities.
Somaliland is executing its strategy by opening an embassy in Jerusalem and offering access to the Berbera Port, which serves as a trade gateway for the Horn of Africa, including Ethiopia.
Abdullahi rejected descriptions of Somaliland as a breakaway region, stating that his nation achieved sovereignty before Somalia formed its government in 1960.
As part of the diplomatic relationship between the two nations, Ethiopia and Somaliland previously signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on January 1, 2024, to establish framework agreements for maritime access and political recognition.
However, mounting regional diplomatic pressure from the African Union and subsequent Turkish-mediated talks between Ethiopia and Somalia under the Ankara Declaration halted its implementation, leaving Ethiopia to reassess other strategic options for access to the Red Sea.