Israel’s First Ambassador to Somaliland Presents Credentials in Hargeisa

Israel’s first ambassador to Somaliland, Michael Lotem, presented his credentials to President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (known as Cirro) in a ceremony in Hargeisa, according to a statement from Israel’s Foreign Ministry.

The event, which took place last week, also included the laying of a cornerstone for an Israeli embassy in the breakaway territory.

President Abdullahi described the occasion as a “historical day,” noting it was the first time a Somaliland president had received credentials from a United Nations member state that recognises its independence.

Lotem said Israel’s recognition “acknowledged what Somaliland had built over 35 years, rather than serving as a mere diplomatic formality.”

Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said the exchange of ambassadors fulfilled commitments made when relations were established, and recalled his own visit to Somaliland in January and the opening of a Somaliland embassy in West Jerusalem during Cirro’s June visit to Israel.

Cirro emphasized the broader significance of the relationship, stating, “Given our strategic position around the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, our cooperation carries important regional and international significance. Let me reaffirm that Somaliland approaches this relationship with genuine strategic commitment and a long‑term perspective.”

Somaliland lies across the Gulf of Aden from Yemen, near the Bab al‑Mandeb strait, a vital shipping passage between the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. Fighting in Yemen has intensified in recent weeks, with United Nations envoy Hans Grundberg warning on October 9 that the country had returned to full‑scale war involving the Iran‑aligned Houthi movement and forces of the internationally recognised government.

Israel has also acknowledged a security relationship with Somaliland that predates its diplomatic recognition.