Israel sends first ambassador to Somaliland as naval base talks continue

Israel has formally established its first diplomatic mission in Somaliland, marking the operational start of ties between the two states following their recognition agreement last December. Michael Lotem presented his credentials to Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi in Hargeisa last week. The Israeli foreign ministry confirmed the event in a statement released Sunday.

The two nations signed a mutual recognition deal on December 26, 2025. Since that date, diplomatic traffic has increased. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar visited the region, and Abdullahi traveled to west Jerusalem in June to open a Somaliland embassy. Lotem is now the first ambassador appointed to the breakaway territory by a state that recognizes its independence.

Abdullahi stated that this is the first time a Somaliland president has accepted credentials from an ambassador of a United Nations member state that recognizes the territory's sovereignty. He noted that Somaliland declared its independence in 1991. Lotem told reporters that the recognition acknowledges the political structures Somaliland built over the past 35 years. He described the move as more than a diplomatic formality.

Strategic interests drive the relationship. The two governments are currently negotiating the construction of an Israeli naval base on Somaliland's Red Sea coast. This location sits near the Bab al-Mandab strait, a key waterway for global shipping. Abdullahi emphasized the geographic importance of the region during the ceremony. He stated that cooperation in the area around the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden carries regional and international weight.

Berbera serves as the commercial hub for these strategic interests. The Emirati logistics company DP World operates the main port in the city. DP World runs this facility in partnership with the British government's foreign investment arm. The United Arab Emirates also maintains a military base at Berbera. Israel is the only country in the world that officially recognizes Somaliland, while the UAE holds substantial economic ties to the territory.

Saar said Israel is determined to strengthen its relationship with Somaliland. The cornerstone for the new Israeli embassy was laid during the same ceremony in Hargeisa. The Israeli foreign ministry called the event another step in building ties. The presence of multiple foreign powers in the region underscores the competitive nature of the area's geopolitical importance.