Friday January 2, 2026
Hargeisa (HOL) – Somaliland on Thursday denied reports that it had agreed to accept refugees from Gaza or allow Israel to establish military bases on its territory in exchange for Israeli recognition.
In a statement posted on X, Somaliland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejected what it described as false allegations made by Somalia’s president.
“The Government of the Republic of Somaliland firmly rejects false claims made by the President of Somalia alleging the resettlement of Palestinians or the establishment of military bases in Somaliland,” the ministry said.
It stressed that Somaliland’s engagement with Israel is strictly diplomatic and conducted in accordance with international law.
“Somaliland’s engagement with the State of Israel is purely diplomatic, conducted in full respect of international law and the mutual sovereign interests of both countries,” the statement added.
The ministry accused Mogadishu of attempting to mislead the international community and undermine Somaliland’s diplomatic efforts.
“These baseless allegations are intended to mislead the international community and undermine Somaliland’s diplomatic progress. Somaliland remains committed to regional stability and peaceful international cooperation,” it said.
The response follows remarks by Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in an interview with Al Jazeera, in which he stated Somali intelligence indicated that Somaliland had accepted three Israeli conditions in return for recognition. According to Mohamud, these included the resettlement of Palestinians, the establishment of an Israeli military base along the Gulf of Aden, and Somaliland’s participation in the Abraham Accords.
Mohamud also alleged that Somalia’s intelligence services had detected an existing Israeli presence in Somaliland, suggesting that Israel’s recognition merely formalised activities that had previously taken place covertly.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced last week that Israel would recognise Somaliland as an independent state, making it the first UN member country to do so. The announcement triggered strong reactions from Somalia and drew condemnation from several African and Middle Eastern nations, as well as criticism from the European Union.
Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but had not previously secured formal recognition from any United Nations member state until Israel’s announcement last Friday.