Israel Appoints First Ambassador to Somaliland
JERUSALEM: Israel has made a significant diplomatic move by appointing its first ambassador to Somaliland, following its formal recognition of the region earlier this year, according to a statement from the foreign ministry on Sunday.
In December, Israel became the first nation to acknowledge Somaliland’s independence, which it declared in 1991 after the civil unrest in Somalia.
Michael Lotem, who currently holds the position of economic ambassador to Africa, will take on the role of Israel’s envoy to Somaliland. Lotem has previously served as ambassador to Kenya, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan.
This appointment comes after Israel established diplomatic ties with Somaliland in December 2022. Notably, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar visited Somaliland in January to further strengthen these relations.
