Israel receives Somaliland’s first ambassador as nation marks 35 years of independence, renews push for global recognition

Africa

JERUSALEM, Israel (NPA) — The Government of Somaliland has announced what it described as a historic diplomatic breakthrough following the arrival of Dr Mohamed Hagi, the first Ambassador of the Republic of Somaliland to Israel, and the presentation of his credentials to Israeli President Isaac Herzog in Jerusalem.

The development comes months after Israel formally recognised Somaliland as an independent state on December 26, 2025, becoming the first United Nations member state to do so — a move that significantly boosted Somaliland’s long-standing push for international recognition and intensified debate over Somalia’s political future.

In a statement, the Somaliland Government described the occasion as “a historic moment,” noting that for the first time, a representative of the Republic of Somaliland was officially received at the residence of the President of Israel.

“Somaliland’s ambassador, Dr Mohamed Hagi, is presenting his credentials to Israeli President Isaac Herzog. This is a significant diplomatic milestone and further demonstrates Somaliland’s growing international engagement on the global stage,” the statement read.

According to the government, the meeting took place in Jerusalem, where Dr Mohamed Hagi formally presented his diplomatic credentials to President Herzog.

President Herzog also welcomed the Somaliland envoy, describing the event as the beginning of a new strategic relationship between both sides.

“I was delighted to receive the first-ever Ambassador of Somaliland to Israel, Mohamed Hagi, who presented his diplomatic credentials this morning,” Herzog said.

The Israeli President added that Ambassador Hagi commended the orchestra that performed Somaliland’s national anthem for the first time in Israel during the ceremony.

Herzog said the diplomatic engagement marked “an important new partnership” between Israel and Somaliland, adding that both parties would pursue cooperation across multiple sectors for the benefit of their peoples and the wider region.

The diplomatic milestone comes amid Somaliland’s renewed criticism of Somalia’s political direction and governance crisis.

Earlier, Newpost Africa reported that Somaliland had urged the international community to reassess its engagement with Somalia, citing worsening political instability, disputed legitimacy, and what it described as growing authoritarianism in Mogadishu.

In a statement issued by Hussein Deyr, spokesman to the Somaliland President, the government warned that Somalia’s crisis had entered a “dangerous phase” characterised by intimidation, institutional collapse, and expanding foreign influence.

Deyr accused Turkey of acting as a “new colonial power” in Somalia, alleging that Ankara was exploiting the country’s fragile political environment for strategic and economic interests.

He further called on the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union to impose targeted sanctions, travel bans, and asset freezes on Somali leaders, while urging a review of existing international security partnerships with Mogadishu.

The Somaliland spokesman also advocated renewed United Nations-led international stewardship over Somalia, referencing the transitional trusteeship system of the 1950s as a possible framework for restoring stability.