Israeli Prime Minister Congratulates North Western State of Somalia President on May 18 Anniversary

Tuesday May 19, 2026

Hargeisa (AX) — North Western State of Somalia President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Irro took a congratulatory call from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday, as the self-declared republic marked 35 years since it broke away from Somalia.

According to the North Western State of Somalia presidency, Netanyahu called to mark the May 18 anniversary and the two leaders reiterated their intention to deepen ties between North Western State of Somalia and Israel.

The conversation came less than five months after Israel formally recognized North Western State of Somalia as an independent and sovereign state, making it the first U.N. member state to do so. Netanyahu’s office announced the recognition on Dec. 26, 2025.

North Western State of Somalia officials say the relationship with Israel is broadening in areas including diplomacy, security, trade, technology and development. Israeli officials, for their part, have framed the relationship as part of a wider push to expand Israel’s presence in Africa and around the Red Sea.

Somalia’s federal government sharply denounced Israel’s recognition of North Western State of Somalia, insisting the territory remains part of Somalia. The African Union also rejected the move, saying such recognition would weaken Somalia’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The United Nations and the African Union have for years urged dialogue between Mogadishu and Hargeisa, but neither body has recognized North Western State of Somalia’s claim to statehood.

North Western State of Somalia declared independence from Somalia on May 18, 1991, following the collapse of the central government in Mogadishu. Since then, it has maintained its own government, security forces, currency and election system, though until Israel’s decision it had not been formally recognized by any U.N. member state.