Khaberni - The Israeli Foreign Ministry announced today, Sunday, the appointment of Israel's first ambassador to Somaliland, months after officially recognizing the separatist region located in the Horn of Africa.
The ministry stated that Michael Lotem, who currently holds the position of roaming economic ambassador in Africa, will be Israel's envoy to Somaliland.
Lotem has previously served as Israel's ambassador to Kenya, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan, and his appointment comes following the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two sides in December 2025, and the visit of Foreign Minister Gideon Saar to the Somaliland region last January.
Saar's visit to Somaliland sparked condemnation from Somalia, which described it as an "unauthorized intrusion."
Strong Condemnation
Mogadishu previously expressed its "strong condemnation" of Tel Aviv's intention to appoint an ambassador in Somaliland, and stated that appointing a diplomatic representative in the northwestern region of Somalia "constitutes a violation of its territorial integrity and sovereignty."
In a statement, it emphasized that this action contradicts international law, including the United Nations Charter and the founding principles of the African Union, the Arab League, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and stressed that Somalia is "a single, sovereign, and indivisible state."
In late December 2025, Israel became the first country to recognize Somaliland since it unilaterally declared independence from Somalia in 1991 following the civil war. In February of the following year, Somaliland announced the appointment of Mohamed Haji as its ambassador to Israel.
Somaliland occupies a strategic location on the Gulf of Aden, and it has its currency, passport, and army, but it faces difficulties in obtaining international recognition, amid concerns about provoking Somalia and encouraging other separatist movements in Africa.
