Defying an international backlash following Israel’s recognition in December, Somaliland President Abdirahman Abdillahi Irro has appointed an ambassador to Tel Aviv, APA learnt on Friday.
Mohamed Omar Haji Mohamoud has been named Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Israel, according to a presidential decree issued on Wednesday.
Somaliland is a self-declared republic still recognised by the international community as an integral part of Somalia whose officials have not made a public reaction to the move.
It declared independence from Mogadishu in the 1990s and has all the trappings of an independent state including, its own currency, parliament and military and holds regular democratic elections.
Israel is the first country to recognise Somaliland as an independent nation, sparking outrage from Somalia which accused Tel Aviv of undermining its ”indivisible sovereignty” over the northwestern enclave of just over 6 million people.
Prime minister Benjamin Netanyhu’s move was also condemned by Somalia’s allies in the Muslim world and other international partners such as Turkey and Russia.
Somaliland officials hailed the recognition as part of broader efforts to formalise diplomatic relations, expand political cooperation and strengthen bilateral engagement in areas including trade, innovation, water management and regional security.
The decree appointing Hai as ambassador grants him full authority, status, rights and responsibilities associated with the position, in accordance with the Somaliland constitution.
Mohamed Haji previously served as Somaliland’s Representative to Taiwan, where he played a key role in strengthening cooperation in development, education, technology and institutional capacity-building between the two sides.
Israel has since accepted Haji’s appointment, according to a letter sent by the Israeli foreign affairs ministry to Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi.
Haji currently serves as an adviser to Abdullahi, and was an advocate for Israel-Somaliland relations, according to the ministry.
A reiprocal appointment is being expected from Israel in the next few weeks, foreign ministry sources say.
MG/as/APA