Somaliland pushes back on claims Israel recognition involved accepting Gaza refugees

Somaliland has rejected the widespread claim that Israel recently recognized the country in exchange for the African country accepting Palestinians from the Gaza Strip.

“Somaliland’s engagement with the State of Israel is purely diplomatic, conducted in full respect of international law and the mutual sovereign interests of both countries,” Somaliland’s Foreign Ministry wrote on 𝕏.

“These baseless allegations are intended to mislead the international community and undermine Somaliland’s diplomatic progress.”

“Somaliland remains committed to regional stability and peaceful international cooperation,” the foreign ministry emphasized.

Somaliland Foreign Minister Abdirahman Dahir Adam denied that Somaliland had agreed to host residents of the Gaza Strip.

“Somaliland has not discussed with Israel or agreed to host or transfer people from the Gaza Strip. Somaliland’s foreign policy is based on international law, sovereignty, and humanitarian principles. Any other claim is false and intended to mislead public opinion,” Adam said.

Somaliland, which is strategically located in the Red Sea region close to Houthi-held Yemeni territory, also denied that it would permit the Jewish state to establish a military base on its soil.

However, Somaliland’s foreign minister, who spoke to Israel's Kan News in March, said the country would not rule out accepting Gaza refugees amid international efforts to rebuild the coastal enclave.

“We are open to discussion on any matter, but we do not want to speculate on matters that have not yet been discussed. All countries that are interested in discussing certain issues with us must first establish working relations with us and open diplomatic missions in Somaliland,” Adam explained.

“The most important thing for us is to receive recognition after showing the world that we are a peace-loving and democratic country, which has been independent for 33 years,” he added.

Somaliland unilaterally declared independence from Somalia in the early 1990s and has, in practice, operated as a self-governing state for more than three decades. However, the international community has yet to formally recognize its independence.

Last month, Israel became the first country to recognize Somaliland as an independent state.

“The State of Israel plans to immediately expand its relations with the Republic of Somaliland through extensive cooperation in the fields of agriculture, health, technology, and economy,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated.

Abdirahman Mohamed Abdallahi, Somaliland’s president, hailed Israel’s diplomatic recognition as a “historic moment,” saying it would benefit both countries as well as regional peace and security.

“This step marks the beginning of a strategic partnership that advances mutual interests, strengthens regional peace and security, and delivers shared benefits to all stakeholders, without prejudice to any party,” he said.

Around 21 predominantly Muslim countries, along with the European Union, condemned Israel’s diplomatic recognition of Somaliland.

In a joint statement, Muslim countries, including Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Somalia, stressed that “the recognition of parts of states constitutes a serious precedent, threatens international peace and security, and violates the cardinal principles of international law and the United Nations Charter.”

The EU echoed similar sentiments, stating, “The European Union reaffirms the importance of respecting the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia pursuant to its constitution, as well as the charters of the African Union and the United Nations.”

The country of Somalia, which is classified as a failed state, has in practice lost control of much of its territory.

In an interview with Al Jazeera last week, Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud claimed that Israel seeks to “export its problem in Gaza” by transferring Gaza refugees to Somaliland.

“Israel does not have any peaceful intentions in coming to Somalia. This is a step of utmost danger, and the whole world, especially Arabs and Muslims, must view it as a serious threat,” Mohamud said.

Some pundits have argued that the opposition to Israel’s recognition of the Muslim-majority country, Somaliland, has exposed Muslim and European Union hypocrisy, as nearly all Muslim and many European countries unilaterally recognized a “Palestinian state.”