Israel Appoints First Ambassador to Somaliland

Israel has appointed its first ambassador to Somaliland, months after formally recognizing the breakaway region in the Horn of Africa, the foreign ministry said Sunday. In December, Israel became the first country to recognize the independence of Somaliland since it declared its autonomy from Somalia in 1991 following a civil war. Michael Lotem, currently serving as a roving economic ambassador to Africa, will be Israel’s envoy to Somaliland, AFP quoted the ministry as saying. Lotem previously served as ambassador to Kenya, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan. His appointment follows the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two sides in December 2025, and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar’s visit to Somaliland in January this year. In February, Somaliland announced the appointment of Mohamed Hagi as its ambassador to Israel. Saar’s visit to Somaliland drew condemnation from Somalia, which described it as an “unauthorized incursion.”