Israel’s newly appointed ambassador to Somaliland said on Saturday relations between the two sides are expanding quickly, with cooperation expected in security, energy, infrastructure, technology, trade and other sectors.
Michael Lotem, Israel’s non-resident ambassador to Somaliland, said in an interview with Israel’s N12 that Somaliland had shown strong interest in building a broad relationship with Israel after Israel formally recognized Somaliland as an independent state in December 2025.
They want to strengthen cooperation in almost all areas from energy and infrastructure to technology, education and communications,” Lotem said, according to N12.
Lotem said security discussions were part of the relationship, but he added that cooperation went beyond defense and included political and economic issues. Israel appointed Lotem as its first ambassador to Somaliland in April, after becoming the first U.N. member state to recognize Somaliland’s independence.
“In recent years, Israel has made a lot of diplomatic efforts to strengthen its presence in Africa,” Lotem said.
He said Somaliland has natural resources, including oil, gas, gold, iron ore and coal, that could create economic opportunities. He added that Somaliland was interested in working with Israel across the full value chain, including in agriculture, water, health and education.
Lotem previously served as Israel’s ambassador to Kenya and as non-resident ambassador to Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi and Seychelles. In his new role, he is expected to serve as a non-resident ambassador to Somaliland.
The growing relationship is part of Israel’s wider effort to strengthen diplomatic influence in Africa, including in Muslim-majority countries and areas near strategic Red Sea and Gulf of Aden shipping routes.
Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Irro has previously said Somaliland is ready to join the Abraham Accords, describing the framework as a way to promote peace and cooperation between the Middle East and Africa.
Israel’s recognition of Somaliland was welcomed in Hargeisa but strongly rejected by Somalia, which considers Somaliland part of its sovereign territory. The African Union, IGAD and several countries also opposed the move, warning that it could affect regional stability.
Several countries, including Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Kenya, Denmark and the United Kingdom, have maintained representative or liaison offices in Somaliland, although they have not formally recognized its independence.
