Israel appoints first ambassador to Somaliland after 2025 recognition
Michael Lotem presented credentials to President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi in Hargeisa, a move that follows mutual diplomatic recognition in late 2025.
By Julia Novak ·
Michael Lotem became the first Israeli ambassador to Somaliland after presenting his credentials to President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi in Hargeisa last week. The Israeli foreign ministry confirmed the appointment in a statement released on Sunday, November 2. Lotem’s arrival marks a formal expansion of diplomatic infrastructure between the two entities.
Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 and remains a breakaway territory in northern Somalia. Israel is currently the only United Nations member state to formally recognize the region. The two sides established mutual recognition on December 26, 2025, which paved the way for increased official contact.
During the ceremony in Hargeisa, officials also laid the cornerstone for a new Israeli embassy. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar stated that Israel is determined to develop and strengthen its relations with the territory. Lotem described the recognition as an acknowledgment of the political structures Somaliland has built over 35 years, rather than a simple diplomatic formality.
President Abdullahi noted that this is the first time a Somaliland president has received credentials from an ambassador sent by a UN member state that recognizes its independence. He emphasized the strategic value of the partnership, citing the region’s position along the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Abdullahi said Somaliland approaches the relationship with a long-term perspective and genuine strategic commitment.
Negotiations are currently underway regarding the potential construction of an Israeli naval base on Somaliland’s Red Sea coast. This location sits near the Bab al-Mandab strait, a key chokepoint for international shipping. The commercial capital, Berbera, is central to these strategic discussions. The Emirati logistics firm DP World operates the main port in Berbera in a partnership with the British government’s foreign investment arm. The United Arab Emirates also maintains a military presence at Berbera.
