Michael Lotem, the Israeli ambassador designated for Somaliland, has arrived in Hargeisa. He is expected to present his credentials to the President of Somaliland, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (Cirro), and participate in a groundbreaking ceremony for the Israeli embassy in Hargeisa.
In a report published on Friday, *The Times of Israel* noted that the ambassador’s arrival in Hargeisa coincides with political shifts within Israel, as well as diplomatic pressure from regional states opposed to the relationship between Somaliland and Israel. The report mentions that the media outlet *Nation News* first reported the ambassador’s arrival on October 30, while the official schedule of the Somaliland Presidency also references the ceremony for the presentation of credentials.
Lotem was appointed to the ambassadorial post in April of this year, following Israel’s announcement in December 2025 that it had recognized Somaliland. His arrival in Hargeisa marks a significant step in the development of diplomatic relations between the two sides, which are now being elevated to the level of an embassy.
A report by The Times of Israel indicated that an official embassy could provide Somaliland with a permanent diplomatic presence and facilitate cooperation between the two sides. However, the newspaper noted that there are no comprehensive official details yet regarding the members of the delegation accompanying the ambassador, nor regarding the security agreements reportedly linked to the visit.
The ambassador’s arrival coincides with a period following Israel’s October 27th election, in which no major political faction secured a majority to form a government. According to the report, results announced on October 30th showed that Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc won 53 seats, the opposition secured 48 seats, and Arab-led parties obtained 19 seats. The newspaper described the ambassador’s visit as a sign of ongoing relations between the two sides, even though the policy that the new Israeli government will adopt remains unclear.
Meanwhile, the relationship between Somaliland and Israel faces opposition from some countries in the region. The report mentions the El-Alamein Declaration of October 4th—issued jointly by Egypt, Eritrea, Somalia, and Sudan—which opposes the recognition of Somaliland and asserts that the management of the Red Sea is the primary responsibility of the coastal states.
Furthermore, the report notes that in late October, China and Djibouti expressed opposition to the recognition of Somaliland and its ties with Taiwan. Nevertheless, the arrival of an Israeli envoy indicates that the relationship between Hargeisa and Tel Aviv persists, despite external objections.
Regarding security, the report cites Somaliland’s Minister of Defense, who told Reuters in June that Israel provides training to Somaliland’s police and military forces; however, he denied at the time that any discussions were underway regarding the establishment of an Israeli military base in Somaliland. The report adds that both sides share interests in maritime security, regional stability, and the protection of commercial traffic flow through the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
A report by The Times of Israel also cautioned that security cooperation between the two sides could offer strategic opportunities for Somaliland, while simultaneously increasing pressure and potentially triggering reactions from certain countries in the region. As of now, the official details regarding the outcome of the ambassador’s visit and any new agreements reached between the two parties have not been fully disclosed.
