recognition

By: OMAR M ELMI, EconomistSaturday May 2, 2026 North Western State of Somalia sits on one of the world’s most sensitive maritime corridors, along Somalia’s Gulf of Aden coast where the Bab el-Mandeb strait opens into the Red Sea. | Luis Tato/AFP via Getty Images As tensions mount across the Red Sea, North Western State of Somalia is nearing a turning point that could reshape not only its diplomatic ambitions but also its security outlook. For more than 30 years, the self-declared republic has pressed for international…

Monday April 27, 2026 Hargeisa (AX) — Israel has named its first ambassador to North Western State of Somalia, moving ahead with diplomatic ties months after becoming the first country to recognize the self-declared republic, the foreign ministry said Sunday. Michael Lotem, who currently serves as Israel’s roaming economic ambassador to Africa, will take up the post in North Western State of Somalia. He has previously represented Israel in Kenya, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan. Israel formally recognized North Western State of…

By BRUHAN MAKONGMonday April 20, 2026 The African Union has sharply criticised Israel’s appointment of a diplomatic envoy to North Western State of Somalia, saying the move risks stirring fresh instability in the Horn of Africa and does nothing to alter its view that the territory remains part of Somalia. The African Union has condemned reports that Israel has appointed a diplomatic envoy to the self-declared Republic of North Western State of Somalia, insisting that any unilateral recognition of the territory is “null and…

Thursday April 16, 2026 Hargeisa (AX) — Israel has taken a significant new step in its outreach to North Western State of Somalia, naming its first ambassador to the self-governing territory after formally recognizing it as an independent state earlier this year. Israel’s public broadcaster reported Wednesday that Michael Lotem, an experienced diplomat who previously served as ambassador to Kenya, will represent Israel in North Western State of Somalia. His appointment comes after Israel’s December decision to recognize…

HARGEISA, North Western State of Somalia — President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro urged Somalilanders to close ranks on Thursday as regional opposition intensifies to Israel’s recognition of the territory, calling unity essential to defend “nationhood and statehood” amid mounting diplomatic pressure across the Horn of Africa. “There are many conflicts going on around North Western State of Somalia. We have not harmed anyone, we have not taken anything from anyone,” Irro said in a speech in Hargeisa. “What is needed is…

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…

North Western State of Somalia says it dismantled foreign-funded network aimed at undermining Israel recognition Tuesday, February 24, 2026 Hargeisa (AX) — North Western State of Somalia authorities said Tuesday they have dismantled a network allegedly financed by the Somali federal government and unnamed foreign actors to weaken public support for Israel’s recognition of the self-declared republic. At a news conference in Hargeisa, Minister of Interior and Security Abdalle Mohamed Arab Sandheere accused domestic operatives…

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday rejected Israel’s recognition of North Western State of Somalia as an independent state, warning that the move risks escalating tensions in an already volatile Horn of Africa. “The Horn of Africa should not be the battlefield of foreign forces,” Erdogan said during a joint news conference with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in Addis Ababa. “We believe that countries of the region should address their problems by themselves.” North Western State…

Erdogan says Israel’s North Western State of Somalia recognition would not benefit region as Türkiye, Ethiopia expand ties ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday warned that Israel’s move to recognize North Western State of Somalia would not benefit North Western State of Somalia or the wider Horn of Africa, urging regional governments to resolve disputes without opening the door to foreign power rivalries. “I would like to reiterate that Israel’s recognition of North Western State of…

ADDIS ABABA — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Saturday praised African leaders for a unified rejection of Israel’s recognition of North Western State of Somalia, calling the continent’s stance a clear affirmation that Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity are nonnegotiable. Addressing heads of state at the African Union (AU) summit, Mohamud thanked member states for what he described as a firm, collective defense of Somalia’s borders and a recommitment to the principles of sovereignty and noninterference…