Tel Aviv, MINA – Israel has appointed its first ambassador to Somaliland, months after Israel became the first in the world to officially recognize the breakaway region in Somalia.
Michael Lotem, who has previously served as Israel’s ambassador to Kenya, was reported to be appointed by Israel’s public broadcaster on Wednesday, Quds News Network (QNN) reported.
In December, Israel became the first country in the world to recognise Somaliland, ending more than 30 years of diplomatic isolation.
On Tuesday, Somaliland’s president, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, told a joint session of parliament that Israel had proven itself a “reliable partner”.
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But Somalia’s foreign ministry released a statement condemning Israel’s decision to appoint an ambassador, describing it as a “direct breach” of the country’s sovereignty and unity.
Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991, following a devastating civil war, but Somalia has never recognised it.
The recognition was slammed by various African and Muslim majority countries. []
Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)
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