By HAN News Desk
MOGADISHU — The Federal Government of Somalia has categorically denied reports suggesting that it has initiated diplomatic relations with Israel, dismissing the claims as “baseless” and “misleading.”
Speaking to the media, Somalia’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ali Balcad, said the government has no plans—now or in the future—to establish diplomatic ties with Israel. He stressed that Somalia’s long-standing position on the issue “remains unchanged and unambiguous.”
“There is no such proposal, no talks, and no intention of opening diplomatic relations with Israel,” Balcad stated.
“Somalia’s official stance is clear, and it has not shifted.”
His remarks came after the Israeli Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sharren Miriam Haskel-Harpaz, told Israeli media that Israel had recently been in discussions with several African countries, allegedly including Somalia.
Somali officials, however, rejected these claims outright, describing them as part of a media narrative originating from Israel that does not reflect the position of the Somali government.
Somalia, a predominantly Muslim nation, has never had diplomatic relations with Israel, and successive governments in Mogadishu have upheld that policy since the country gained independence in 1960.
The renewed denials come amid regional tensions and shifting diplomatic alliances across Africa and the Middle East, where some states have recently normalized relations with Israel. Somalia, however, insists that it has not engaged in any dialogue that would lead to recognition or cooperation with Tel Aviv.
Government officials reiterated that any change in foreign policy would require parliamentary approval and national consensus—a process they say has not taken place.
