Somalia: Somalia Rejects Israeli Ambassador, Planned Embassy in Somaliland

What the report says

Somalia has rejected Israel’s appointment of an ambassador to Somaliland and the reported plan to open an Israeli embassy in Hargeisa, saying the steps violate Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The remarks were issued by Somalia’s Foreign Ministry in a statement on Tuesday, according to Radio Dalsan, which was distributed by AllAfrica.

The ministry said the actions were taken without the consent of the Federal Government and were therefore null and without legal effect. Somalia maintains that Somaliland remains part of its territory and does not have the authority to conduct independent diplomatic relations with foreign states.

The report says Israel’s first ambassador to Somaliland, Michael Lotem, recently presented his credentials to Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro in Hargeisa. The two sides also held a ceremony to mark the planned Israeli embassy site. The article adds that Israel formally recognised Somaliland on December 26, 2025, becoming the first UN member state to do so since Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991.

Somalia called on Israel to reverse the decisions and urged the international community not to recognise any moves that could weaken its territorial claims. It also warned that the developments could add tension in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden region, an area of strategic importance for trade and security.