Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said Sunday that Somalia will not allow Israel to establish military bases on its territory or relocate Palestinians to the country, rejecting what he described as Israel’s illegal recognition of Somaliland.
Speaking before Somalia’s parliament, Mohamud reiterated the federal government’s opposition to any recognition of Somaliland as an independent state, saying Somalia would never accept the division of its territory.
He said the actions attributed to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were unprecedented in Somalia’s history and violated the country’s sovereignty.
“Somalia does not allow its land to be used as military bases from which attacks are launched against other countries,” Mohamud said, adding that Somalia is prepared to contribute to regional and global stability.
The president also rejected any proposal involving the forced relocation of Palestinians, saying Somalia would not accept the transfer of people from land to which they are entitled.
“Somalia will not accept the forced displacement of the Palestinian people from their homeland to any other place, whether Somalia or elsewhere,” he said.
Mohamud said Somalia would take all necessary diplomatic and legal steps to defend its sovereignty, unity and internationally recognized borders, warning against what he called Israeli violations.
He also urged the international community and Somalia’s allies to support the country’s efforts to defend its territorial integrity and statehood.
Somaliland, a former British protectorate, declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but has not been internationally recognized as a sovereign state.
