Following the illegitimate recognition, Israel appoints its first ambassador to Somaliland.
Netanyahu recognized Somaliland
In a new move towards threatening the stability of Somalia and reigniting the Somaliland front, Israel announced on Wednesday evening the appointment of its first ambassador to the Somaliland region.
This decision comes a few months after Tel Aviv’s illegal and unconventional recognition of the so-called Somaliland region as an independent state, which sparked a major wave of regional and international protests at the time, rejecting the Israeli decision.
Somaliland region in Israel's vision
The Israeli Foreign Ministry announced that the committee for appointing heads of diplomatic missions, headed by Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, approved on Wednesday evening the appointment of Michael Lotem as Israel's ambassador to the Somaliland region.
Lotem currently serves as Israel’s roving economic ambassador to Africa, and has previously served as Israel’s ambassador to Kenya, Israel’s ambassador to Azerbaijan, and Israel’s ambassador to Kazakhstan.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry stated that Lotem, in the first phase, will be a non-resident ambassador to Somaliland.
Israel's recognition of Somaliland
In December 2025, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu officially recognized “Somaliland” as an independent state, a move that sparked strong reactions against Tel Aviv, and clear rejection by Somalia, the countries of the African continent, and at the international level as well.
Netanyahu’s office then released a video showing the Israeli prime minister in a video call with the president of the “Somaliland” region, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, during their signing of what is called the Israeli recognition document of Somaliland.
Somalia confirmed its rejection of what it described as Israel’s ”illegal aggression,” noting that this move violates international law and constitutes interference in the country’s internal affairs.
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud considered the interference in his country’s internal affairs to be contrary to established legal and diplomatic rules, stressing that Somalia and its people are one, and indivisible.
