Israel appoints 1st ambassador to Somalia's breakaway region in controversial move

TEL AVIV - Israel appointed on Wednesday its first ambassador to Somalia's breakaway region of Somaliland.

Michael Lotem was appointed as a non-resident ambassador to Somaliland, the Israeli Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Lotem previously served as ambassador to Kenya, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan, according to Israel's public broadcaster KAN.

In December 2025, Israel announced mutual recognition with Somaliland, a move strongly rejected by the Somali government and criticized by many countries across the world.

Somaliland, which has lacked official recognition since declaring independence from Somalia in 1991, operates as a de facto independent administrative, political, and security entity, with the central government unable to assert control over the region and its leadership unable to secure international recognition of independence.

The Somali government refuses to recognize Somaliland as an independent state, considers it an integral part of its territory, and views any direct deals or engagement with it as a violation of the country's sovereignty and unity.