The Somali government has rejected a U.S. proposal to resettle Gaza residents, with Foreign Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi stating it undermines Palestinian rights. Discussions on the resettlement involve multiple nations, but Sudan has declined the proposal. There is significant opposition to this initiative, as countries work on rebuilding Gaza instead.
The Somali government has decisively declined a proposal from the United States to resettle some residents from Gaza within its territory, as reported by Reuters. Somali Foreign Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi articulated that Somalia will not endorse any strategy that compromises the rights of Palestinians to reside in their homeland. Fiqi further asserted, “We will never accept any plan to resettle Palestinian refugees on Somali soil.”
Ongoing discussions about the potential resettlement of Gaza residents involve various parties, including the U.S., Israel, Somalia, Somaliland, and Sudan, as confirmed by the Associated Press. However, Sudan has already refused Washington’s request for its participation in this endeavor. Reports indicate that President Donald Trump is particularly interested in the Gaza Strip’s situation and aims to facilitate the relocation of Palestinians to countries such as Somalia.
The proposal has faced considerable backlash from both Palestinians and Arab nations, who are actively seeking solutions to rebuild Gaza in response to Trump’s relocation plans. Furthermore, Somalia, which benefits from U.S. financial and security aid, relies on this support for military training and operations against Al-Shabaab. Although hundreds of U.S. soldiers were removed by Trump in December 2020, President Biden reinstated them upon taking office.
In summary, Somalia has firmly rejected the U.S. proposal to accept Gaza residents, emphasizing the protection of Palestinian rights. The ongoing discussions reflect broader geopolitical tensions, with various nations involved in the consideration of this matter. Strong opposition from Palestinians and Arab nations underscores the complexities of addressing the humanitarian situation in Gaza against the backdrop of international diplomacy.
Original Source: www.garoweonline.com
