Somali government sources rubbished reports from Israeli media that the Somali government is exploring establishing diplomatic relations with Israel.
The sources confirmed that the article in the Times of Israel on 9th of July claiming that the “Somali president plans talks with parliament on possible ties with Israel” was false.
A highly-placed contact who works very close to Somalia’s president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud unequivocally denied that any “door to relations between Mogadishu and Jerusalem” were open.
“The briefing to the Times of Israel by a supposed Spokesperson for the President did not happen. President Hassan Sheikh is currently focused on delivering on the Somali people’s priorities which are security, economic reforms and basic public service delivery.”
The advisor said that they accompanied the President on his inaugural foreign trip to the UAE in late June and confirmed that no communication – directly or backline – was established with Israeli officials.
Israel has made in-roads by establishing relations with Muslim-majority, Arab-speaking countries. The UAE signed a peace agreement with Israel in August 2020. Less than 30 days later, Bahrain followed suit and reached a deal to normalize relations.
In October 2020, Sudan’s General Burhan signed a peace agreement with Israel after years of clandestine meetings.
The US has publicly suggested that more Arab nations would improve ties with Israel.
Somalia has never had diplomatic relations with Israel. In March 2019, Abdullahi Dool, a senior Somali diplomat, was fired after he tweeted that Somalia should formally establish ties with Israel.
