An proposal to relocate Palestinians from Gaza to Somalia has faced strong opposition from the people of Mogadishu, the capital city of Somalia. Mohamed Mohamed Elmi Afrah, a local politician, expressed his belief that the proposal would not receive unanimous support from the Somali people or their government. The contacts between the United States, Sudan, Somalia, and the breakaway region of Somaliland highlight Israel and the United States’ determination to pursue the proposal, despite widespread condemnation and concerns regarding legal and moral implications.

Sudan’s officials have publicly rejected the overtures from the United States, while the officials of Somalia and Somaliland claimed they were not aware of any contacts catalyzed by the proposal. Donald Trump’s plan calls for the resettlement of more than 2 million Palestinians from Gaza in a “beautiful area,” raising doubt given the poverty and violence in countries contacted.

During a White House meeting last month, Trump proposed that the United States would take ownership of the Gaza territory, oversee a lengthy cleanup process, and develop it as a real estate project. Initially considered a fantasy of Israel’s ultranationalist fringe, the idea of a mass transfer of Palestinians has received praise from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who touts it as a “bold vision.” Palestinians in Gaza have rejected the proposal, rejecting the claim that departures would be voluntary.

Arab nations have vehemently opposed the proposal and presented an alternative reconstruction plan to keep Palestinians in place. Rights groups have warned that forcing or pressuring Palestinians to leave could be considered a potential war crime.

Source: http://www.africanews.com/2025/03/15/somalis-rejects-us-plan-to-resettle-palestinians-from-gaza/