Somalia has issued a strong rejection of any plans to resettle displaced Palestinians from Gaza on its territory, making it clear that it will not be part of what it calls “displacement policies orchestrated by Washington.” The Somali Foreign Ministry firmly stated that the country opposes any external efforts to relocate Palestinians, emphasizing its support for their right to remain in their homeland.
The statement comes amid growing controversy over U.S. President Donald Trump’s comments on Gaza. Trump recently described the territory as a “demolition site” and proposed a large-scale reconstruction effort, suggesting that Gaza could be transformed into “the Riviera of the Middle East.” As part of his vision, he floated the idea of relocating Palestinian residents to other countries, including Egypt, Jordan, and various African nations.
In recent days, reports in British media quoted Israeli and Puntland officials discussing the potential relocation of displaced Gazans to regions such as Puntland, Somaliland, or Morocco. According to these reports, Puntland officials allegedly expressed openness to hosting Palestinian refugees, raising speculation that some areas within Somalia might cooperate with the U.S. plan. However, Somali federal authorities have swiftly distanced themselves from these claims, stressing that the central government has no intention of endorsing or facilitating the resettlement of Palestinians on Somali soil.
Somalia’s stance aligns with the broader sentiment in the Arab and Muslim world, where forced displacement of Palestinians has been widely condemned. Somali officials reaffirmed that any resolution to the crisis must prioritize the rights of Palestinians to return to their homes rather than be subjected to forced relocation under foreign directives.
The rejection also follows growing international backlash against what critics view as an effort to sideline the Palestinian cause by dispersing its people across different nations. While Trump has positioned the resettlement idea as a humanitarian solution, many governments and advocacy groups argue that such proposals undermine Palestinian sovereignty and their right to self-determination.
Somalia, which has long maintained diplomatic ties with Palestine and has historically voiced support for its struggle, reiterated that it will not be pressured into accepting any deal that compromises Palestinian rights. Somali leaders emphasized that any sustainable solution to the crisis must be based on justice and international law, rather than coerced migration plans.
With tensions continuing to rise over the future of Gaza, Somalia’s firm rejection sends a clear message that it will not partake in any initiatives that attempt to forcibly relocate Palestinians away from their homeland.
