Israel has appointed its first ambassador to Somaliland, months after formally recognizing the breakaway region in the Horn of Africa, Israeli 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, the ministry said. 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 it ambassador to Israel.
Somaliland enjoys a strategic position on the Gulf of Aden and has its own currency, passport and army, but has struggled to win international recognition, amid concerns in many capitals that this would provoke Somalia and encourage other separatist movements in Africa.
Saar’s visit to Somaliland drew condemnation from Somalia, which described it as an “unauthorized incursion.”
