Hassan Sheikh says Somalia will not accept Israeli presence in the Country

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has reiterated his opposition to any Israeli military or other strategic presence in Somalia, particularly reported plans involving the northern port city of Berbera.

Speaking in an interview with Al Jazeera, Hassan Sheikh said Somalia would not accept Israel establishing a presence on Somali territory and warned against the transfer of Middle Eastern conflicts to the Horn of Africa.

“We will not accept Israel being in Somalia. We do not want the conflict in the Middle East to be brought to the Horn of Africa. We are closely monitoring Israel’s activities,” the president said.

Hassan Sheikh accused Israel of contributing to conflict and instability and described what he characterised as Israeli ambitions in the Horn of Africa as unacceptable.

The president said the Somali government was taking legal measures in response to what he described as actions by Tel Aviv that violate Somalia’s sovereignty. He said Somalia had previously succeeded in defending its territorial and maritime interests through legal and diplomatic efforts and had received support from the international community.

Hassan Sheikh also expressed confidence in the Somali people’s ability to resist what he described as attempts to undermine the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

He further said that communities in Somalia’s north-west were opposed to an Israeli presence in the region, while accusing a small number of politicians of pursuing their own interests in relation to the issue.

The president’s comments come amid heightened regional tensions and growing diplomatic attention over Israel’s reported interest in establishing a presence in the Horn of Africa.

Somalia has repeatedly stressed the importance of protecting its sovereignty and territorial integrity, including over territories and maritime areas that it considers part of the Somali state.

Mustaqbal