Thursday 26 Feb 2026 {HMC} Israel’s Foreign Ministry announced Wednesday that it has officially granted diplomatic accreditation to the first ambassador of Somaliland to Israel, Dr. Mohamed Omar Haaji Mohamud (Mohamed Hagi), marking a new phase in relations between the two sides.
In an official statement, the ministry said the move follows the formal establishment of diplomatic relations on December 26, 2025, and builds on agreements reached during Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar’s visit to Somaliland last month.
Dr. Mohamed Hagi, currently an adviser to Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (Irro), was described by Israel as having played an active role in advancing bilateral relations in 2025. He has been appointed as Somaliland’s full and plenipotentiary ambassador to Israel following Israel’s recognition of the breakaway region.
Israel also announced plans to appoint its own ambassador to Somaliland in the near future, calling it another step toward strengthening diplomatic and strategic cooperation.
In addition, Israel’s Foreign Ministry said its international development agency, MASHAV, is hosting a specialized training course this week for officials from Somaliland’s Water Authority and Ministry of Water. The program is aimed at supporting the construction, development and planning of Somaliland’s water sector while enhancing professional collaboration.
The announcement comes amid reports that President Irro is expected to make an official visit to Israel at the end of March, according to Israeli media. If confirmed, it would mark the first public visit by a Somaliland president to Israel, although sources cited by The Jerusalem Post indicated that Cirro had previously traveled to Israel discreetly during earlier diplomatic discussions.
Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991, has not received broad international recognition. Israel became the first country to formally recognize it in December 2025, a move strongly rejected by Somalia’s federal government, which has described the recognition as a violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Hargeisa has signaled interest in expanding cooperation with Israel in areas including technology, agriculture, innovation, water management and regional security, as it intensifies diplomatic efforts to secure additional international recognition.
Meanwhile, Mogadishu continues to rally regional and international opposition to Israel’s decision, framing it as a challenge to Somalia’s unity amid ongoing political and constitutional tensions within the country.
SOurce Hiiraan Online
