Israel has appointed its first Ambassador to Somaliland, months after controversially recognising the breakaway region as an independent state. In response, Somalia's Foreign Ministry condemned the move, describing Israel's appointment as a "direct breach of Somalia's sovereignty."

 Mogadishu reiterated that it categorically rejects any attempt to grant diplomatic or political recognition to any part of its territory outside the authority of the Federal Government. Israel is currently the only country to recognise Somaliland, a self-declared independent region in northwestern Somalia that unilaterally declared independence in 1991.

Lulu Gaboo spoke to Dr Seife Tadelle Kidane, the Director of the Centre for Governance and Intra-Africa Trade Studies (CGIATS) .