Israel’s President Isaac Herzog is set to visit Ethiopia next week, according to Israeli news sources.
He will be meeting with senior Ethiopian government officials, including Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, during his one day official visit.
The visit is part of Israel’s effort to strengthen relations with African countries. Israel is said to have a geopolitical interest in the horn of Africa and vowed to deepen its collaboration with Somaliland, something that has angered Somalia.
When Türkiye President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan visited Ethiopia earlier this week, he expressed his opposition to Israel’s recognition of Somalia’s breakaway region, Somaliland, which existed as a de facto state for over 34 years.
He said that the “recognition does not benefit Somaliland or the region.”
The remark prompted a strong response from the Somaliland government, describing it as “unacceptable interference aimed at discouraging relations with regional partners.”
There has been rumour that Herzog’s visit to Ethiopia aims to counter Erdogan’s stance on Somaliland.
Ethiopia and Israel are linked by strong, enduring and stable bilateral relationships.
MG/as/APA