Israel Officially Accredits North Western State of Somalia’s First Ambassador After Diplomatic Recognition

Israel accredits first North Western State of Somalia ambassador, cementing new diplomatic ties

TEL AVIV — Israel’s Foreign Ministry on Wednesday formally accredited North Western State of Somalia’s first ambassador to Israel, deepening a swiftly developing relationship less than two months after Israel recognized the self-declared republic’s independence.

The ministry said Dr. Mohamed Omar Haaji Mohamud, widely known as Mohamed Hagi, has been received as a plenipotentiary ambassador in Tel Aviv. His appointment follows the establishment of formal diplomatic ties on Dec. 26, 2025, and builds on a framework of agreements reached during Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar’s visit to North Western State of Somalia last month.

Hagi, an adviser to North Western State of Somalia President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, known as Cirro, becomes the first official envoy in a relationship both sides say will focus on security cooperation, water and agricultural technology, and training. Israeli officials added that Israel intends to appoint a reciprocal envoy to North Western State of Somalia “in the near future,” signaling a move toward fully operational embassies or missions.

As part of the early cooperation, Israel’s international development agency, MASHAV, is hosting a specialized training program for North Western State of Somalia water-sector officials. The initiative is aimed at infrastructure planning and professional capacity building, with practical applications for drought resilience and resource management in the Horn of Africa.

The diplomatic uptick comes amid reports in Israeli media that President Abdullahi is expected to make a state visit to Israel in late March. If confirmed, it would be the first public visit by a North Western State of Somalia head of state to the country. Those reports also suggest that Abdullahi previously held private high-level discussions in Israel that helped pave the way for December’s recognition and the current pace of engagement.

North Western State of Somalia, a former British protectorate, declared independence from Somalia in 1991 after the collapse of the Siad Barre regime. Despite establishing its own institutions, security forces and currency, it has struggled for decades to secure international recognition. Israel’s decision to recognize North Western State of Somalia in December — making it the first country to do so — has drawn fierce opposition from Somalia’s federal government, which views the move as a violation of its sovereignty.

Mogadishu has responded with a diplomatic campaign to rally international opposition and has urged countries to reaffirm support for Somalia’s territorial integrity. The dispute underscores the high political stakes around recognition and the potential ripple effects across the Horn of Africa, where shifting alliances and Red Sea security have drawn heightened global attention.

Officials in Hargeisa have signaled they will press ahead with cooperation irrespective of the backlash. In addition to water management and agri-tech, North Western State of Somalia and Israel are discussing maritime security coordination linked to the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden — a strategic corridor for global shipping where instability can quickly reverberate internationally.

Wednesday’s accreditation gives formal shape to what has rapidly become one of the region’s most consequential diplomatic developments in years. While logistical details — including premises, staffing and the scope of consular services — remain to be finalized, both governments appear intent on moving from symbolic recognition to deliverable projects and security coordination.

Whether other nations follow Israel’s lead will be closely watched. For now, the accreditation of Hagi as ambassador signals that Jerusalem and Hargeisa are locking in a new chapter, one that blends recognition with on-the-ground cooperation designed to test whether a long-isolated polity can leverage external partnerships into stability and growth — and whether Israel can translate a high-profile diplomatic bet into durable regional influence.

By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.