Israel Confirms Ambassador Lotem Presented Credentials in Somaliland

Israel’s Foreign Ministry confirmed on November 1 that Ambassador Michael Lotem presented his credentials to Somaliland’s President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi last week. The ceremony took place at the Presidential Palace in Hargeisa. Sunday’s announcement confirms the completion of the credentials presentation, rather than announcing a ceremony held that day. The diplomatic exchange follows the arrival of Somaliland’s first ambassador to Israel earlier this year. On May 18, Mohamed Hagi presented his credentials to President Isaac Herzog at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem. Herzog described the occasion as “a unique opportunity to develop dialogue with nations of Muslim countries.” He identified food security, energy and science as areas offering opportunities for cooperation. At that May ceremony, Hagi pointed to development, political and security cooperation, and relations between the two peoples as fields for building the relationship. Those remarks accompanied the presentation of Somaliland’s credentials in Israel; Lotem’s newly confirmed ceremony concerns the Israeli ambassador’s credentials in Hargeisa. Herzog subsequently hosted Abdullahi in Israel on June 14 for the Somaliland president’s first state visit. During that visit, Herzog said Israel had recognized Somaliland as an independent state and that Somaliland had chosen Jerusalem for its embassy. He also identified regional stability, opposition to radical extremism and protection of maritime freedom as shared concerns. These earlier exchanges provide the diplomatic background to the Foreign Ministry’s confirmation of Lotem’s presentation.