Somalia Firmly Rejects U.S. Proposal for Resettling Gaza Residents

Somalia has rejected a U.S. proposal to resettle Gaza’s population, with Foreign Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi stating that any such plan would undermine Palestinian rights. Ongoing discussions involve multiple countries but face significant opposition, including from Sudan. The U.S.’s role in Somalia includes security assistance and military presence.

The Somali government has unequivocally turned down a U.S. proposal aimed at resettling a segment of Gaza’s population within its borders, as reported by Reuters. Somali Foreign Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi articulated that Somalia would not endorse any initiative that compromises the rights of Palestinians to reside peacefully in their homeland. He asserted, “We will never accept any plan to resettle Palestinian refugees on Somali soil.”

In addition, reports from the Associated Press indicate that talks are ongoing among U.S. and Israeli officials concerning the potential resettlement of Gaza residents. These discussions involve the U.S., Israel, Somalia, Somaliland, and Sudan, with Sudan having already dismissed Washington’s proposal. U.S. President Donald Trump, expressing interest in the Gaza Strip, reportedly seeks to facilitate Palestinian relocation to other nations, including Somalia.

The proposal has sparked widespread discontent among both Palestinians and Arab nations, who are collaboratively devising a strategy to rebuild Gaza in opposition to Trump’s relocation plans. Additionally, it is noteworthy that Somalia benefits from U.S. financial and security assistance, which encompasses the training of the Danab commando unit and targeted strikes against Al-Shabaab. While many U.S. soldiers were withdrawn by Trump in December 2020, some were redeployed to Somalia following President Biden’s assumption of office.

In conclusion, Somalia has firmly rejected the U.S. proposal to resettle Gaza residents, emphasizing the importance of Palestinian rights. With ongoing discussions among multiple nations and opposition from Arab countries, the fate of Gaza remains contentious. The relationship between Somalia and the U.S. includes support for security operations, underscoring the complexities involved in foreign policy decisions.

Original Source: www.garoweonline.com