France, Jan. 9 -- Since declaring independence in 1991,Somalilandhas tried for decades to gain international recognition.

Yet no country acknowledged it as a sovereign state-until Israel did soon 27 December 2025.

Authorities in Somalia, who want to keep their territory intact, have decried Israel's decision and rallied the African Union and other African countries for support.

But Israel and Somaliland are moving forward with their "strategic partnership". Israel's Foreign Minister, Gideon Saar, visitedSomaliland on Tuesday, 7 January, meeting the region's president, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, and discussing ways to enhance bilateral ties.

Next week, Somaliland's president will head to Jerusalem.

Somalia's Foreign Ministry denoun...