Foreign relations of Somaliland

In February 2017, both houses of the parliament of Somaliland accepted the bid from the government of the UAE for the Union Defence Force (UAE) to establish a military base in Berbera along with the redevelopment of the Berbera Airport.[19]

Israel was one of 35 countries that recognised Somaliland's brief independence in 1960.[20] However, it does not currently hold direct diplomatic ties with Somaliland. In February 2010, Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesperson Yigal Palmor was quoted in the Haaretz Daily that his government was ready to recognize Somaliland again.[21][22] Although, he stated that the Somaliland government has not contacted the Israeli government to seek ties.

In 1995, former President Egal of Somaliland also wrote a letter to Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin seeking to establish diplomatic ties between the two countries.[22] In September 2001, it was also reported Somaliland was looking towards Tel Aviv after Saudi Arabia banned imports of livestock from the country due to Rift Valley fever.[23] During this time several Israeli businessmen were also in the nation's capital Hargeisa.[23] However, President Kahin who succeeded Egal is reported to have avoided approaching Israel to prevent straining fragile relations with the Arabs and Muslim world, which it heavily relies for its livestock trade.[22] In August 2020, Somaliland expressed its support for the Israel–United Arab Emirates peace agreement.[24]

In November 2009, a Pakistani delegation composed of Mr. Sheikh Mansoor Ahmed, Secretary General of the PPP of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan ruling government; Mr. Shafiq Ahmed Qureshi, Peace Representative, former diplomat and Sr. Consular Officer; and Mr. Abdul Razak Dinnaari, an ambassador, visited Somaliland where they proposed to open a trade office of Somaliland in Pakistan.[25]

In February 2020 Pakistan's Look Africa Policy Initiative conference which was officially held in Nairobi Kenya, Over 100 delegates from 20 African countries attended the conference, A delegation from Somaliland led by the Minister of Energy and Minerals Jama Mohamoud Egal Asked Pakistan To extend its look africa policy initiative to Somaliland We were happy to be part of this conference. We have talked to Pakistan delegates and asked them to look at Somaliland As one of its potential partners in trade and development. He added Somaliland is keen to develop strong trade ties with Pakistan. From this conference, we will build on our approach and market our country to their investors. Minister Egal said there are so many investment opportunities in Somaliland that can interest Pakistan.[26]

In 2011, the foreign ministers of South Africa and Tanzania said that they would not recognise Somaliland and preferred that Somalia remained a single country. Although Somaliland is recognized as a de facto state, it currently has no de-jure recognition from any internationally recognized country.[27] In 2012, South Africa and Ethiopia again re-affirmed their continued support for Somalia's government, territorial integrity, and sovereignty at the mini-summit on Somalia in New York on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly.[8] However, South Africa has formally declared that Somaliland fulfils the Montevideo criteria for statehood in addition to it accepting the Somaliland passport.[28]

The African Union (AU) is considering Somaliland's application for membership to the bloc and has indicated a willingness to deal with it as an 'outstanding case'.[28]

The President of Somaliland, Muse Bihi Abdi, visit to the Republic of Guinea.

In late July 2019, Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi led a delegation to the Republic of Guinea at the invitation of President Alpha Conde.[29][30]

President Bihi and Kenyan President, Uhuru Kenyatta

In December 2020, Kenya and Somaliland agreed that a Kenyan consulate would open in Hargeisa, and to commence direct flights between Hargeisa and Nairobi, both by March 2021.[31]

In April 2014, the Sheffield City Council in the United Kingdom voted to recognize the right to self-determination of Somaliland, the second British city council to do so, with Bristol being the first. The gesture however was ceremonial and not legally binding.[32] On 26 March 2015, Cardiff City Council followed suit[33] and later on 18 May 2015, the UK independence Party announced their support for the recognition of Somaliland.[34] This was followed by the Conservative UK government's official opening of a British Office in Hargeisa, the capital of Somaliland. In 2020 the United Kingdom, Denmark and the Netherlands approved four agreements with government of Somaliland to improve critical infrastructure to support economic growth.[35] In July 2019, the Birmingham City Council the largest local authority in Europe recognized the right to self-determination of Somaliland, becoming the 5th in Britain.

In January 2018, Somaliland gained attention from the Philippines, and later Timor-Leste, after legislation outlawing rape is successfully passed.[36]

Somaliland Foreign Minister Hagi Mohamoud with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen

In July 2020, Somaliland announced it would establish representative office in Taiwan (Republic of China).[37] The Taiwan Representative Office officially established in Hargeisa the next month.[38] In August, Taiwan opened its office in Somaliland which was reciprocated by Somaliland by opening an office in Taiwan on 9th September 2020. [39]