Somalia Stands Firm Against Relocation of Gaza Refugees

In recent days, whispers and murmurs have filled the airwaves, with talk of Somalia playing host to displaced Palestinians from Gaza—a notion reported by both Israeli and British media. Yet, Somalia has promptly drawn a line in the sand, firmly refusing to be swayed by such proposals.

Was it audacity or merely political theatre? Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump unveiled a plan that many found hard to digest. The plan suggested rebuilding Gaza with new homes while dislocating its current residents. But, Somalia, far removed from such machinations, has categorically stated through Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, a reliable source, that they are uninvolved in any “displacement policies” touted by Washington.

As the Somali federal government maintains its silence, some might ponder—should they speak out against rumors and hearsay? One Somali foreign ministry official emphasized that evoking a response from the Somali government awaits nothing less than an official comment from the White House regarding potential relocations to Northeastern State or North Western State of Somalia.

North Western State of Somalia, a self-declared independent territory since 1991, and Northeastern State, an autonomous region that often finds itself at odds with the central Somali government, have both surfaced in these conversations. The Telegraph, a UK newspaper, sparked debate last Thursday by quoting Israel Bachar, Israel’s Consul General to the Pacific Southwest. He speculated on relocating Palestinians to places like North Western State of Somalia, Northeastern State, and Morocco.

Adding fuel to the fire, Yacob Mohamed Abdalla, Northeastern State’s deputy minister of information, expressed a willingness to welcome Gazans, emphasizing that this gesture would only be considered if it came without coercion. His comments, sprinkled with optimism, reflect a complexity that often characterizes geopolitics. Furthermore, Abdulahi Mohamed Jaha, once the voice of Northeastern State authorities, also showed interest, weaving commonality in faith as a bridge, on his Facebook post, for potential cultural synergy and development.

Yet, not all agree with this perspective. Abdirahman Keelo, a legal scholar from Northeastern State, labeled these discussions as whimsical, dismissing them as fantastical given the dire poverty and developmental challenges within the region. His critique sheds light on a broader issue—how can those already struggling extend a lifeline to others?

Keelo’s words resonate: “This is crazy thinking and mad logic,” he remarked, pointing out that forced displacement runs counter to international humanitarian norms. Given President Trump’s unpredictable rhetoric during his second tenure, drawing reason from contradictions seems an exercise in futility, he argues.

Conversations around relocating Gazans have gained momentum partly due to Egypt and Jordan’s emphatic rejections of Trump’s plan. The Gaza Strip, battered by relentless conflict—15 months of war have left catastrophic scars. Recent figures from the Gaza health ministry are chilling: at least 61,707 lives lost.

The discourse surrounding the potential relocation of Gazans remains fraught with tension, legality, and diplomacy. As Somalia stands its ground against bearing the weight of this proposal, the international community watches, waits, and wonders—what path forward showcases humanity at its finest?

Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International–Monitoring