TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Somaliland has refuted accusations that they agreed to host Israel's military facilities or resettle forcibly displaced Palestinians from Gaza in exchange for diplomatic recognition by Israel.
In a statement on Thursday, Somaliland's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that its engagement with Israel was "purely diplomatic" and conducted "in full respect of international law." According to Al Jazeera, they dismissed rumors that the recognition was linked to the acceptance of Palestinians from Gaza or the establishment of Israeli military bases.
The denial follows Israel's decision last week to become the first country to recognize Somaliland as an independent state, a move that has escalated tensions with Somalia and drawn international criticism.
The Somaliland Foreign Ministry said that the allegations were intended to mislead the international community and undermine Somaliland's diplomatic progress, adding that they remain committed to regional stability and peaceful cooperation, as reported by Jerusalem Post.
Somaliland's Foreign Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi added that their country would reject any proposal that undermines the rights of Palestinians to live in their ancestral land.
Somalia continues to claim Somaliland as part of its territory, despite the region declaring independence in 1991. For decades, Somaliland's efforts to gain international recognition have remained unsuccessful.
Somalia's Accusations
The response comes after Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud told Al Jazeera that Somaliland had accepted three conditions from Israel: resettling Palestinians, allowing the establishment of military bases on the Gulf of Aden coast, and joining the Abraham Accords.
Mohamud warned that Israel's recognition was "not merely a diplomatic gesture" but a cover to export its "problems in Gaza" to the Horn of Africa, calling it a move that could open a "box of evils in the world."
Somalia's Foreign Minister, Ali Mohamed Omar, echoed the warning, stating that Israel's actions could disrupt Somalia's state-building efforts and contribute to instability in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea region. This could potentially create opportunities for extremist groups including Al-Shabaab and ISIS, as reported by Jerusalem Post.
Somaliland openly acknowledges only one element of Mohamud's claim: their intention to join the Abraham Accords.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed on Tuesday that Somaliland would join the framework, stating that Israel aims to support a Muslim country that is "democratic and moderate" and seeks normalization.
Somaliland's President, Abdurrahman Mohamed Abdullahi, known as Cirro, plans an official visit to Israel in the coming weeks, where he is expected to formally join the Accords, according to Israel's public broadcaster Kan.
Netanyahu extended the invitation during a video call announcing the reciprocal recognition.
The recognition has sparked protests across Somalia, with tens of thousands demonstrating in Mogadishu and other cities on December 30, demanding unity and rejecting Israel's move.
More than 50 countries have condemned the recognition, while the African Union and the European Union stated that Somalia's territorial integrity must be respected.
Read: Malaysian PM Outlines Israel's Motives Behind Somaliland Recognition
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