MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has issued a sharp warning over recent developments involving Somaliland, saying they pose a serious threat to Somalia’s sovereignty and national security and accusing Israel of pursuing strategic interests in the self-declared region.
In an exclusive interview with Al Arabiya on Saturday, the president said Somaliland remains an integral part of Somalia and has no legal basis as a separate state. He said years of efforts to preserve national unity through peaceful engagement had been undermined by actions he described as breaches of international law.
Mr Mohamud questioned the legitimacy of Somaliland’s leadership, portraying it as increasingly isolated and driven by desperation. He said the secessionist project had failed to gain viability, prompting attempts to secure international recognition at any cost.
He alleged that Israel is pursuing three objectives linked to Somaliland: the establishment of a military presence near the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, efforts to relocate displaced Palestinians to the region, and the inclusion of Somaliland’s leadership in the Abraham Accords.
The president categorically rejected any plan involving the forced relocation of Palestinians, saying Somalia would not accept such a move under any circumstances. He said Somalia does not border Palestine and argued that any forced displacement would reflect Israeli policy rather than regional realities, describing the idea as unrealistic and unattainable.
Mr Mohamud warned that the situation represents the most serious challenge Somalia has faced in recent years, surpassing even its prolonged war against terrorism. While stressing that dialogue remains the government’s preferred approach, he did not rule out the use of force if national security were threatened.
He said his government would take all necessary measures to counter what he described as a direct challenge to Somalia’s territorial integrity, framing the issue as one with implications not only for domestic politics but also for regional stability and international law.
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