Israel’s first ambassador to Somaliland presents credentials

Summary

Israel’s first ambassador to Somaliland, Michael Lotem, presented his credentials to President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, known as Cirro, in Hargeisa, where officials also laid the cornerstone for an Israeli embassy. Africanews reported the ceremony on November 2; the South China Morning Post says it formalised ties following mutual recognition in December. The SCMP reports that Somalia, the African Union, Arab states and China oppose the move.

Timeline

1. Africanews

   2 Nov 2026, 14:57 UTCSource ↗

   Africanews reports that Israel’s first ambassador to Somaliland presented his credentials to President Cirro in Hargeisa, where a cornerstone was also laid for an Israeli embassy.

2. South China Morning Post

   3 Nov 2026, 14:00 UTCSource ↗

   The South China Morning Post reports that Michael Lotem’s presentation of credentials and the embassy cornerstone ceremony formalised ties after mutual recognition in December, despite opposition from Somalia, the African Union, Arab states and China.