Israel's first Somaliland ambassador presents credentials in Hargeisa
Israel's first ambassador to Somaliland, Michael Lotem, presented credentials in Hargeisa, where officials laid an embassy cornerstone, implementing December 2025 recognition.
The story in focus
Al Jazeera reports Israel's first ambassador to Somaliland, Michael Lotem, presented credentials to President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi in Hargeisa, and officials laid the cornerstone for an Israeli embassy, implementing Israel's December 26, 2025 recognition of the territory Somalia still claims.
- Israel's Foreign Ministry announced the Hargeisa ceremonies on November 1, 2026, saying they were held the previous week.
- President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi called it the first time a Somaliland president received credentials from an ambassador of a UN member state recognising its independence.
- The step implements Israel's December 26, 2025 recognition, when it became the first UN member state to recognise Somaliland.
- Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud told Sky News that Israel wants Red Sea access, not Somaliland's independence, and alleged it seeks a naval base.
- Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 and remains unrecognised by any other UN member state.
Ceremony in Hargeisa
Israel's Foreign Ministry announced on Sunday that Ambassador Michael Lotem presented his credentials to Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, known as Cirro, at a ceremony in Hargeisa where officials also laid the cornerstone for an Israeli embassy. The ministry said the events took place the previous week.
Cirro described it as a historical day, saying it was the first time a Somaliland president had received credentials from an ambassador of a UN member state recognising its independence. Lotem said the recognition acknowledged what Somaliland had built over 35 years rather than a diplomatic formality. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar said the exchange fulfilled commitments made when relations were established.
Recognition and dispute
The move puts into practice Israel's December 26, 2025 decision to become the first UN member state to recognise Somaliland. The territory declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but remains claimed by Mogadishu and unrecognised by any other UN member state.
Somalia condemned the recognition in December as a violation of its sovereignty. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud told Sky News that Israel wants the Red Sea rather than Somaliland's independence and alleged it seeks a naval base there; Somaliland officials have signalled openness to hosting an Israeli base, though Cirro recently said no talks had been held. The Arab League, African Union and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation also condemned the recognition.
What did Israel's Foreign Ministry say about the timing of the Hargeisa ceremonies?
The ministry announced the ceremonies on Sunday, November 1, 2026, and said they were held the previous week. It said Ambassador Michael Lotem presented credentials and officials laid an embassy cornerstone.
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