When Somaliland in the Horn of Africa established diplomatic relations with Israel on December 26, 2025, it made headlines around the world.

Almost six-years prior, authorities in Hargeisa – the Somaliland capital – had also established relations with Taiwan after signing the Bilateral Protocol between the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the Government of the Republic of Somaliland" - in Taiwan’s capital, Taipei.

At the time, Liban Yusuf Osman was serving in his country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs as Deputy Foreign Minister and was a key figure in establishing ties with Taiwan.

He later took on other government positions and recently answered a few questions on the latest diplomatic relationship Somaliland has established, as well as how links to Taiwan are going, six years on.

Drawing on your experience building ties with Taiwan, how would you now characterise Somaliland’s establishment of relations with Israel to regional observers?

Osman: The relationship between Somaliland and Taiwan has demonstrated several key diplomatic strengths: Mutual respect despite external pressure, institutional continuity (representative offices, development cooperation), security cooperation and consistency in honouring agreements.

Despite geopolitical pressure from larger actors, Somaliland has shown that it does not abandon partners when circumstances become difficult. That reliability builds international credibility - something rare in politically fragile regions.

The Somaliland–Israel relationship is a complex issue in the context of the Horn of Africa. On one hand, it could bring strategic advantages, recognition, and new partnerships. On the other hand, it might heighten tensions with certain neighbours or regional blocs.

The key will be how well Somaliland navigates these relationships - balancing the opportunities that arise while mitigating regional sensitivities 

How did the Hargeisa – Jerusalem links come about?

Osman: The relationship between the Republic of Somaliland and Israel dates back to 1960, when Somaliland gained independence and was recognized by Israel among other countries. After restoring its sovereignty in 1991, Somaliland’s successive administrations maintained informal communication and engagement with Israel, though without formal recognition. More recently, under President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (Irro), Somaliland formally appealed for international recognition.

Following diplomatic exchanges over several months, Israel officially recognised Somaliland in December, formalising a relationship rooted in historical ties and longstanding engagement.

Somaliland has often framed its diplomacy around shared democratic values as it did when ties were established with Taiwan. To what extent did this values-based approach shape engagement with Israel?

Osman: The establishment of ties between Somaliland, Israel, and Taiwan marked the beginning of meaningful and strategic partnerships grounded in shared realities. All three operate under comparable circumstances: External political pressure, diplomatic challenges and regional tension - and at times inconsistency within the international system.

Yet despite these pressures, each has demonstrated resilience, institutional stability and also forward-looking governance. 

For Somaliland, these ties demonstrate that its case is legitimate, and historically grounded as well as practically viable. Partnerships established with technologically advanced and diplomatically influential states reinforce our credibility on the international stage.

How does Somaliland balance its deepening ties with Israel while maintaining and expanding its links to Taiwan, both of which operate outside a number of conventional diplomatic recognition frameworks?

Osman: Somaliland can navigate this diplomatic tightrope through several steps. First, it must articulate that its relationship with Israel is strategic and not directed against any other nation. Next, it should engage quietly and consistently with Arab League and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, assuring them that Somaliland respects regional concerns.

Somaliland should also avoid symbolic actions that exacerbate tensions. Finally, it must emphasise mutual interests such as trade, security and stability, and show that it is a credible, neutral actor.

By maintaining transparency and leveraging its growing institutions, Somaliland can balance the benefits of its partnerships while mitigating regional anxieties.

Have you observed any practical or diplomatic synergies emerging from Somaliland’s parallel relationships with both Jerusalem and Taipei?

Osman: Somaliland’s parallel ties with Taiwan and Israel reflect strategic pragmatism, not ideology. All three operate under different forms of diplomatic pressure, yet prioritise innovation, security, and high-functioning bilateral partnerships over waiting for universal recognition.

That creates a natural alignment. Taiwan brings digital governance and economic modernisation. Israel brings security expertise and water-tech innovation. Somaliland meanwhile offers strategic geography at the Bab al-Mandab corridor.

The synergy is simple: resilience + technology + strategic location.

If balanced carefully to avoid provoking major regional powers, this triangle strengthens Somaliland’s state-building credibility and geopolitical relevance. 

Has Somaliland’s engagement with Taiwan helped prepare its foreign service for managing the pressures that accompany closer ties with Israel, especially from neighbouring Somalia and other Horn of Africa nations?

Osman: Yes - absolutely. Somaliland’s decision to establish diplomatic ties with Taiwan was a defining moment in its foreign policy. That partnership came under significant pressure from powerful actors, particularly China, the world’s second-largest economy, which strongly opposed the move. There was diplomatic pressure, regional resistance led by Somalia, and even attempts at economic persuasion and “dollar diplomacy” to reverse Somaliland’s decision.

Despite this, Somaliland stood firm. It defended its sovereign right to choose its partners and refused to abandon its agreement with Taiwan. That experience was not just symbolic - it was formative.

It strengthened Somaliland’s diplomatic resilience, sharpened its strategic clarity, and demonstrated that its foreign policy decisions are not for sale or subject to external intimidation.

As a result, Somaliland gained both confidence and credibility. It proved that it honours its commitments and stands by its partners, even under pressure.

This experience directly contributed to Somaliland’s approach toward Israel. Having already navigated international backlash and regional pushback once, Somaliland is now more experienced, more confident, and more prepared to manage external reactions.

The relationship with Israel is therefore built on tested principles: sovereignty, consistency, and strategic independence. In short, the Taiwan partnership was a diplomatic trial by fire - and it strengthened Somaliland for the next stage of its international engagement. 

What reactions have you seen from regional actors to Somaliland’s outreach to Israel, and how is the government in Hargeisa managing those responses?

Osman: The Somaliland-Israel relationship has triggered predictable reactions across the region - both supportive and critical.

Some like-minded actors see it as a strategic and economic opportunity, recognising Somaliland’s stability and growing geopolitical relevance in the Horn of Africa.

At the same time, Somalia strongly opposes it, framing the move as a challenge to its claims. Other regional players such as Turkey, Egypt, and Djibouti view it through their own strategic interests - assessing shifts in influence, Red Sea security dynamics, and economic competition.
Somaliland understands these reactions. They are part of geopolitics.

But they do not alter its course. Engagement with Israel - or any other partner - is a sovereign decision aimed at expanding recognition, strengthening security, and accelerating economic growth. Reactions are expected. Progress will continue. 

Given Somaliland’s position near critical Red Sea and Gulf of Aden shipping lanes, how do you foresee the mutual recognition with Jerusalem affecting Hargeisa’s role in regional security moving forward?

Osman: The developing relationship between Somaliland and Israel should not be viewed as a destabilising factor in the Red Sea corridor. On the contrary, it represents a stabilising and security-enhancing partnership for one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints: the Bab el-Mandeb.
The Bab el-Mandeb strait connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and onward to the Indian Ocean.

A significant percentage of global trade, including energy supplies and commercial goods, passes through this narrow maritime passage. Any instability in this corridor directly affects Europe, the Gulf states, Africa, and Asia. As such, a constructive partnership between Somaliland and Israel strengthens maritime security, not weakens it. 

Has Somaliland faced any explicit diplomatic or economic pushback linked to its relations with either Israel or Taiwan?

Osman: Yes, Somaliland faced serious challenges when it established diplomatic ties with Taiwan in 2020. The most immediate backlash came from China, a global power with significant trade influence in the region. Pressure was exerted politically and economically, often coordinated through Somalia. There were restrictions affecting movement of people and goods, diplomatic isolation attempts, and concerns about destabilisation efforts.

Despite its limited resources, Somaliland demonstrated resilience. It resisted financial and political pressure, upheld its sovereign decision-making, and maintained its agreement with Taiwan.

That experience strengthened Somaliland’s institutional confidence and diplomatic maturity.
Today, the relationship with Israel presents similar challenges - but on a broader regional scale. Opposition comes from Somalia and regional actors such as Turkey, Egypt, and Djibouti, who perceive Somaliland’s growing international partnerships as strategic shifts in the Horn of Africa balance.

The challenges are threefold: Political pressure - including attempts to diplomatically isolate Somaliland, economic constraints with efforts to limit trade or influence investment flows and security risks with concerns about destabilisation or indirect interference. 

Looking at Taiwan’s contributions in Somaliland’s health and education sectors, where do you foresee similar sectoral cooperation with Israel?

Osman: Since Somaliland signed the bilateral agreement with Taiwan in early 2020, the progress has been tangible and transformative. Cooperation has expanded across social development, ICT, agriculture, energy, and mineral mapping. But the most significant breakthrough has been in the health sector.

I had the honour of signing the health cooperation agreement with His Excellency Joseph Wu (Taiwan’s former Minister of Foreign Affairs), and since then, the impact has been profound.

Taiwan is supporting the construction of a world-class medical facility valued at approximately $23mn. In addition, the implementation of a Health Information System (HIS) is modernising patient data management, improving traceability, strengthening public health forecasting and enabling evidence-based decision-making.

Infrastructure support, medical equipment, vehicles, and innovation programs are further strengthening Somaliland’s healthcare capacity.

This partnership demonstrates a key principle: Somaliland is a credible state that honours its agreements. The Taiwan relationship has proven that strategic cooperation, even under international pressure, can produce measurable development gains.

Looking ahead, I see similar - if not greater - prospects in our relationship with Jerusalem. Israel is globally advanced in technology, cybersecurity, water management, agriculture, and security systems.

If Somaliland focuses on security cooperation, economic partnerships, and technology transfer, this relationship can deliver transformative benefits.

Just as cooperation with Taiwan strengthened our health and development sectors, cooperation with Israel can accelerate economic modernisation, security resilience, and technological advancement.
In short, it is a win-win partnership built on mutual respect, credibility, and strategic vision. 

From your perspective as a former deputy foreign minister, what lessons from the Somaliland–Taiwan relationship are most relevant to ensuring the durability of ties with Israel?

Osman: A key lesson from the Somaliland–Taiwan partnership is that principled, mutually beneficial diplomacy can withstand external pressure and still deliver tangible results.
When Taiwan and Somaliland formalised ties, the relationship was built on mutual respect, shared resilience, and clear strategic interests.

Despite political pressure and foreign interference, both sides stayed committed. The result has been practical cooperation in education, healthcare, agriculture, and technology, alongside strong people-to-people and government-to-government engagement. It has proven to be a win-win partnership grounded in reliability and trust. 

For Israel, the lesson is clear - Somaliland honours its agreements and stands firm in its diplomatic choices. Partnerships based on sincerity and mutual benefit can endure political noise and regional rhetoric. If Israel approaches the relationship with the same strategic clarity, by focusing on economic cooperation, security collaboration, innovation, and development, then the partnership can be durable and transformative for both sides. 

In short, the Taiwan experience demonstrates that when cooperation is rooted in shared interests and credibility, external pressures do not define the outcome. Commitment and mutual benefit do. 

In a world of sharpening geopolitical rivalries, what message does Somaliland hope to send by sustaining ties with Taiwan while opening a new chapter with Israel?

Osman: The relationship between Somaliland and Taiwan over the past five to six years has been not only successful, but transformative. I say this with both pride and confidence, as I had the honour of leading the very first official delegation sent to Taiwan by former President Muse Bihi Abdi.

At the time, I was serving as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, and we were entrusted with laying the foundation of what would become a historic partnership.
From the very beginning in Taipei, it was clear that Somaliland and Taiwan shared more than diplomatic interests. We shared a mindset. Both nations understand resilience. Both have faced external pressure. Both value democracy, self-determination, and dignity. There was immediate mutual understanding and strategic alignment.
Despite pressure, financial inducements, and so-called “dollar diplomacy” from powerful actors, Somaliland stood firm.

We made a commitment to Taiwan, and we honoured it. Somaliland is a nation that keeps its word. We proved that we are a reliable and principled partner, guided not by pressure, but by conviction.
Taiwan, in return, demonstrated true friendship. During difficult times, including our elections and the COVID-19 pandemic, Taiwan stood by Somaliland with practical support, medical assistance, and genuine solidarity. That support strengthened not only institutions, but trust between our peoples.

Looking forward, I firmly believe Somaliland and Taiwan should deepen their diplomatic, economic, technological, and strategic cooperation. Our partnership is built on shared values and mutual respect. Together, we can reinforce our resilience, expand opportunity for our citizens, and continue proving that principled partnerships endure beyond pressure. 

This relationship is not transactional - it is foundational, and it is unshakable.