Somalia’s Bold Rejection of US Gaza Plan

Somalia Rejects U.S. Plan to Resettle Palestinians From Gaza

By Darius Spearman (africanelements)

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Somalia Firmly Opposes Gaza Resettlement Proposal

Somalia’s Foreign Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi publicly rejected the controversial U.S. plan to resettle Palestinians from Gaza in his country. “We will never accept such proposals,” he declared, emphasizing Somalia’s solidarity with Palestinian rights. The announcement came after reports of U.S. and Israeli officials approaching East African nations about hosting displaced Gazans (Garowe Online).

Moreover, Somalia’s government clarified it had received no formal proposals. This stance aligns with Arab League summits advocating for Palestinian self-determination. Analysts suggest Somalia’s position balances diplomacy with its reliance on U.S. military aid, including the $100 million Danab Brigade training program (VOA News). Critics argue the plan risks destabilizing a nation already battling Al-Shabaab militants and famine.

Regional Backlash Against Gaza Relocation Plans

Sudan and Somaliland also denied involvement in the proposal. “This plan threatens regional stability,” warned a Somaliland official, noting its similarity to Trump’s rejected “beautiful area” scheme for Palestinians. Meanwhile, Arab nations proposed rebuilding Gaza instead of displacing its people (Middle East Monitor).

Human rights groups highlighted the irony of resettling Palestinians in Somalia—a country where 70% of the people need humanitarian aid. “You can’t dump refugees into crisis zones,” argued a Human Rights Watch analyst. Al-Shabaab attacks have displaced 3.8 million Somalis since 2021 (SAN.com).

U.S.-Somalia Military Ties Remain Complex

Despite rejecting the Gaza plan, Somalia continues military cooperation with Washington. Five new bases for the U.S.-trained Danab Brigade are under construction. This elite force has conducted 90% of recent anti-Al-Shabaab operations (VOA News).

Critics question why the U.S. expects Somalia to host refugees while deploying troops there. “It’s geopolitical hypocrisy,” said a Mogadishu-based journalist. The Biden administration restored aid cut by Trump, including $476 million for security in 2023 alone.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Darius Spearman has been a professor of Black Studies at San Diego City College since 2007. He is the author of several books, including Between The Color Lines: A History of African Americans on the California Frontier Through 1890. You can visit Darius online at africanelements.org.