By Zakaria Hassan - Reporter
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Israel, 26 April 2026 Israeli cabinet approved Michael Lotem as its first ambassador to Somaliland, accepting Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar's nomination.
Lotem, currently Israel’s roving economic envoy to Africa, will initially serve in a non-resident capacity, a government statement said Sunday.
The appointment comes after Israel and Somaliland established relations in December 2025 and follows a visit by Sa’ar to Somaliland earlier this year.
Authorities said the nomination had previously been endorsed by the Ministerial Committee on Diplomatic Appointments.
Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991, has been pushing for international recognition both in Africa and abroad.
Somalia has dismissed Israel's recognition, insisting that Somaliland is part of its territory. The government has also stressed that any diplomatic engagement with Somaliland by foreign governments is a violation of its sovereignty.