Israel appointed its first-ever ambassador to Somaliland yesterday, April 15, 2026, triggering a sharp exchange between Mogadishu and Hargeisa.
The appointment follows Israel’s official recognition of Somaliland in December 2025—a move that was strongly rejected by Somalia and criticized by several other countries.
The Federal Government of Somalia condemned the move, describing it as a “blatant violation” of its sovereignty and territorial integrity. In an official statement, Mogadishu rejected any attempt to establish diplomatic representation in what it considers its northwestern region, insisting that Somaliland remains an integral part of Somalia within its internationally recognized borders.
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In response, Somaliland dismissed Somalia’s position as “misleading” and lacking a legal and historical basis. Authorities in Hargeisa reiterated their long-standing claim to sovereignty, stating that Somaliland attained independence in 1960 and reasserted it in 1991 following the collapse of the Somali central government.
According to Israeli media reports, the new ambassador is Michael Lotem, who previously served as Israel’s ambassador to Kenya, among other countries.
Meanwhile, in a constitutional address to Parliament, President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi (Cirro) described Israel as a ‘reliable partner’ and suggested that the recognition could open doors to broader international engagement and membership in multilateral institutions.
The president also expressed appreciation to Ethiopia for what he described as longstanding and mutually beneficial relations, reaffirming Somaliland’s commitment to strengthening cooperation in areas such as maritime security, cross-border facilitation, and trade.
He added that further international recognition of Somaliland could follow, noting that several countries are considering deeper engagement frameworks that could amount to diplomatic recognition.
