By HAN News Desk
MOGADISHU — Somalia’s deputy foreign minister, Ali Balcad, has accused Israel of seeking recognition of Somaliland as part of a broader plan to facilitate the displacement of Palestinians from Gaza.
In an interview with Al Jazeera, Balcad said the issue was widely known and represented a clear Israeli objective aimed at relocating displaced Palestinians outside their homeland. He said Somalia would never accept such a plan under any circumstances.
“One of the main reasons behind this move is the displacement of Palestinians from Gaza,” Balcad said. “This has long been known and is a clear objective of Israel. It will never be acceptable to the Somali government or people.”
Balcad said Israel’s actions undermine Somalia’s unity and sovereignty, stressing that Mogadishu would use all available diplomatic channels to counter what he described as state-level aggression and interference in Somalia’s internal affairs.
He called on Israel to reverse what he termed “divisive policies,” comply with international law and respect Somalia’s territorial integrity. “The Somali people are united in defending the country’s unity and territorial cohesion,” he said.
Somalia has strongly rejected any foreign recognition of Somaliland, which declared independence in 1991 but remains unrecognized by the United Nations.
