MOGADISHU — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has firmly rejected the prospect of formal ties with Israel, stating that there is “no place for Israel in Somalia” and reaffirming his country’s longstanding support for the Palestinian cause.
Speaking on the issue, the president described Israel as a state associated with conflict, suffering, and instability in the Middle East. He argued that Somalia could not abandon decades of diplomatic and moral principles that have shaped its foreign policy stance toward the Palestinian question.
“Somalia cannot simply discard its established principles overnight,” the president said, emphasizing that the country’s position remains consistent with its historical support for the rights and aspirations of the Palestinian people.
The remarks come amid growing regional debate over relations with Israel and renewed discussions about diplomatic normalization in parts of Africa and the Middle East.
Successive Somali governments have traditionally supported the Palestinian cause and backed international efforts aimed at achieving a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict based on international law and United Nations resolutions.
President Hassan Sheikh’s comments underscore Mogadishu’s continued commitment to that policy, signaling that Somalia is not considering any change in its position regarding official relations with Israel.
