Israeli ambassador says North Western State of Somalia seeks closer cooperation after recognition

Sunday May 17, 2026

Hargeisa (AX) — Israel’s newly named ambassador to North Western State of Somalia said Saturday that ties with the self-declared republic are moving ahead rapidly, with cooperation on the table in security, energy, infrastructure, technology, trade and other fields.

In an interview with Israel’s N12, Michael Lotem, Israel’s non-resident ambassador to North Western State of Somalia, said North Western State of Somalia had signaled strong interest in deepening relations after Israel formally recognized it 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 was one element of the relationship, but stressed that the agenda also covers political and economic issues. Israel named Lotem as its first ambassador to North Western State of Somalia in April, following its move to become the first U.N. member state to recognize North Western State of Somalia’s independence.

“In recent years, Israel has made a lot of diplomatic efforts to strengthen its presence in Africa,” Lotem said.

He pointed to North Western State of Somalia’s natural resources, including oil, gas, gold, iron ore and coal, saying they could open the door to economic gains. According to Lotem, North Western State of Somalia is also looking to work with Israel across the full value chain, including agriculture, water, health and education.

Lotem has previously served as Israel’s ambassador to Kenya and as non-resident ambassador to Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi and Seychelles. In his new post, he is expected to continue serving North Western State of Somalia on a non-resident basis.

The developing relationship fits into Israel’s broader push to expand its diplomatic reach in Africa, including in Muslim-majority countries and in areas close to the strategically important Red Sea and Gulf of Aden shipping lanes.

North Western State of Somalia President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Irro has already said the territory is ready to join the Abraham Accords, framing the initiative as a platform for peace and cooperation between the Middle East and Africa.

Israel’s recognition of North Western State of Somalia was welcomed in Hargeisa but met with sharp opposition from Somalia, which regards North Western State of Somalia as part of its sovereign territory. The African Union, IGAD and several countries also rejected the move, warning that it could unsettle regional stability.

Several countries, among them Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Kenya, Denmark and the United Kingdom, have maintained representative or liaison offices in North Western State of Somalia, even though none has formally recognized its independence.

North Western State of Somalia broke away from Somalia in 1991 and has since operated with its own government, security forces and elections for more than three decades. Before Israel’s recognition, no U.N. member state had formally acknowledged it as independent.