HARGEISA (Somaliguardian) – Israel has accepted Somaliland’s first ambassador since recognizing the breakaway region in northern Somalia late last year, advancing the implementation of diplomatic ties between the two sides.
Mohamed Hagi, who previously served as Somaliland’s ambassador to Taiwan – another self-governing territory with limited international recognition – has taken up his post in Israel. Israel has not said whether it will appoint a reciprocal ambassador to Somaliland.
The development follows a visit to Somaliland in early January by Israel’s foreign minister, who said the two sides would exchange ambassadors, with Somaliland appointing its envoy and Israel expected to reciprocate.
Alongside the diplomatic engagement, Somaliland has dispatched water specialists to Israel for training and technical expertise to help address chronic shortages at home. The crisis is particularly severe in the capital, Hargeisa, where roughly one-third of residents lack access to running tap water.
Somalia’s federal government and several allies – including Turkey, China, Egypt and Saudi Arabia – have strongly condemned Israel’s recognition of Somaliland. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, during a recent visit to Ethiopia, said the recognition would benefit neither Somalia nor the broader Horn of Africa.
Israel is also expected to establish a military base in Somaliland. The region’s minister of the presidency told AFP this week that Hargeisa is open to hosting an Israeli base despite threats from Yemen’s Houthi rebels, Somalia’s federal government and the Al-Shabaab militant group, which have warned the territory would become a legitimate target if it hosts Israeli forces.
Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but lacks broad international recognition.
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