The Government of the breakaway Republic of Somaliland has strongly denied allegations made by the President of Somalia alleging the resettlement of Palestinians or the establishment of military bases in Somaliland, describing the claims as false and misleading.
In an official response, Somaliland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement published on its official X account that the allegations were baseless and had no grounding in fact. The ministry stressed that Somaliland’s engagement with the Israel is strictly diplomatic and conducted in full respect of international law and the mutual sovereign interests of the parties involved.
The statement categorically rejected any involvement in population resettlement schemes or military arrangements, saying the claims were intended to mislead the international community and undermine Somaliland’s diplomatic progress.
Somaliland reaffirmed its commitment to regional stability and peaceful international cooperation, noting that its foreign relations are guided by transparency, respect for international norms, and constructive engagement with global partners.
The response followed remarks by Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who, in an interview with Al Jazeera, warned of what he described as serious global consequences should such alleged steps be implemented.
“If these three steps are carried out, what will happen in the future is clear,” President Hassan Sheikh said. “A box of evils would be opened in the world.”
Somaliland officials dismissed the remarks as alarmist, reiterating that no such plans exist and that the territory remains focused on diplomacy, stability, and peaceful international cooperation.
A cold war has been flaring since Israel officially declared recognition of Somaliland as an independent state last week.
In a move that drew widespread international condemnation, Israel became the first country to formally recognise Somaliland as an independent sovereign state. Although Somaliland unilaterally seceded from Somalia in 1991, it has not been recognised by either the United Nations or the African Union. The Somali government, backed by African consensus, maintains that Somaliland is an integral part of Somali territory.
The recognition has intensified existing fears that Somaliland could be used as a potential destination for the forced relocation of Palestinians from Gaza amid the ongoing war. More critically, the move has revived an old debate about the geographical scope of Zionist ambitions and whether they extend beyond historic Palestine.
In Somalia, Israel’s decision was not viewed as a routine foreign policy act. Protests erupted in Mogadishu and other cities, where demonstrators waved Palestinian flags and chanted slogans in support of national unity. These reactions, the article notes, reflect a widespread belief that Israel’s move fits into a broader historical context of land appropriation and demographic engineering.
Meanwhile, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has warned of grave regional and global consequences.
