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Israel has appointed its first ambassador to Somaliland, months after formally recognizing the breakaway region in the Horn of Africa, the Foreign Ministry said Sunday.
Michael Lotem, currently serving as a roving economic ambassador to Africa, will serve as Israel’s envoy to Somaliland.
Lotem’s appointment comes after Israel established diplomatic relations with Somaliland in December 2025, when it became the first country to recognize the region’s independence since it declared autonomy from Somalia in 1991 following a civil war.
The move marked a significant step in ties between the two sides, followed by Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar’s visit to Somaliland in January.
In February, Somaliland announced the appointment of Mohamed Hagi as its ambassador to Israel, reflecting a reciprocal exchange of envoys.
Lotem previously served as Israel’s ambassador to Kenya, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan.
Somaliland occupies a strategic position along the Gulf of Aden and maintains its own currency, passport and army, but has struggled to gain broad international recognition amid concerns that recognition could provoke Somalia and encourage separatist movements elsewhere in Africa.
Saar’s visit to Somaliland drew condemnation from Somalia, which described it as an “unauthorized incursion.”
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