In a historic first, the president of Somaliland, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, touched down in Israel to a warm reception that included the guard of honor and a red-carpet rollout. In December of last year, Israel became the first country to recognize Somaliland and open diplomatic ties, touching off a flurry of state visits and cooperative ventures touching many sectors, such as agriculture, technology, water and energy.

While this marked the first visit of the country’s head of state to Israel, it also constituted the first visit to any country. Abdirahman was accompanied by his wife, First Lady Fardowsa Mohamed Roble, and a senior delegation, further cementing the ties between the two countries.

The president was received by his Israeli counterpart, Isaac Herzog, at the President’s Residence, where he was accorded all the honors, including walking from his limousine to the residence on a red carpet again.

This was not, however, their first meeting: The two leaders had met in Davos, Switzerland, last January, and in May, Herzog accepted the credentials of Somaliland’s first ambassador to Israel, Dr. Mohammed Hagi.

A purpose of Abdirahman’s visit is to open Somaliland’s embassy in Jerusalem’s Malha Technology Park. He will also address the Knesset later this week.

On his first day in Israel, Somaliland’s president embarked on a whirlwind tour of Israel’s famous landmarks, including Mount Herzl, where he laid a memorial wreath on the grave of Theodor Herzl; Yad Vashem; and the Grove of Nations (the National Memorial Tree Planting), where he planted a tree.

Abdirahman, whose nickname is Cabdiraxmaan Cirro, referring to his gray hair, and which is the official name of his X account, posted a statement on X about his warm welcome in Israel.

“I have arrived in Israel as the first President of the Republic of Somaliland to undertake a State Visit, and I am honored by the warm welcome extended by my friend, President Isaac Herzog,” he said.

He wrote about the gratitude of the Somaliland people for Israel’s recognition.

“We asked the world: Do you see us?” he said, after explaining that for 35 years Somaliland had built itself into a successful democratic nation. “Israel answered first. Today marks a historic milestone in our journey and the beginning of a new chapter in the relationship between Somaliland and Israel.”

“Today, history is being written, and Somaliland stands ready to forge a shared future founded on friendship, cooperation, and mutual respect,” he added.