Israel has formally welcomed Dr. Mohamed Haji as the fully accredited Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Somaliland, marking a significant step in deepening ties between the two governments. Israel is expected to appoint its own ambassador in the coming weeks, signaling a move from diplomatic recognition to active cooperation.

In late December, Israel became the first country to recognize Somaliland, a self-declared independent region in northeastern Somalia that has operated separately for more than three decades. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would pursue immediate cooperation in agriculture, health, technology, and economic development. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar later visited Somaliland, stating that the territory meets the criteria of a functioning state under international law.

This week, Israel also hosted Somaliland's first official delegation, with discussions focused on professional collaboration and technology transfer, particularly in agriculture and water recycling. Israel's international development agency will provide specialized training, as water scarcity and drought remain major challenges for Somaliland's roughly 6.2 million residents.