MOGADISHU, Somalia — A wave of public outrage has erupted in Somalia following reports that the United States has proposed resettling displaced Palestinians from Gaza in the East African nation. On Thursday, large crowds gathered in Mogadishu’s Peace Garden to protest the controversial plan, rejecting any efforts to relocate Palestinians to Somali soil.
The protest, which included civil society groups, religious leaders, and ordinary citizens, underscored a strong national consensus against the proposal. Many Somalis view the plan as not only impractical but also an affront to Palestinian sovereignty and self-determination.
“In my opinion, as an independent Somali politician, I don’t think it will get the unanimous support of the Somali people—be it from the population or the government,” said Mohamed Mohamed Elmi Afrah, a Somali politician who spoke at the rally. “We stand in solidarity with our Palestinian brothers and sisters, and we reject any attempt to forcibly relocate them away from their homeland.”
A Controversial Proposal
The plan, first floated by the U.S. and Israeli officials last month, involves the mass relocation of Gaza’s more than 2 million residents to foreign countries, including Somalia, Sudan, and the breakaway region of Somaliland. Under the proposed scheme, the U.S. would assume control of Gaza, oversee its reconstruction, and repurpose the area for economic development.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has praised the plan as a “bold vision,” while President Donald Trump has touted it as a humanitarian solution that would give Palestinians a “beautiful area” to rebuild their lives. However, international legal experts and human rights organizations warn that such forced relocations could amount to ethnic cleansing and violate international law.
Somalia’s Response: A United Front
Somalia’s government has distanced itself from any discussions on the matter, with officials stating that they were never formally approached by Washington. “We have not been in contact with the U.S. about any such plan, and Somalia will not entertain proposals that compromise Palestinian rights or our own national security,” a Somali foreign ministry official told The Associated Press on Friday.
Somaliland officials have also denied holding discussions with the U.S. about resettling Palestinians in the self-declared independent territory, though they stopped short of an outright rejection. Sudanese officials, meanwhile, have explicitly rejected any overtures from the U.S., reaffirming their commitment to the Arab League’s stance on Palestinian sovereignty.
The opposition to the plan is rooted in both practical and ideological concerns. Somalia, still recovering from decades of civil war, faces persistent security challenges from militant groups such as al-Shabab. With limited resources and a struggling economy, the idea of absorbing hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians is widely seen as untenable.
Beyond logistical concerns, many in Somalia view the proposal as a historical injustice. “Palestinians have a right to return to their land, not to be displaced again,” said Abdiwahab Ahmed, a university lecturer in Mogadishu. “If we accept this plan, we become complicit in their dispossession.”
Broader Regional and International Backlash
The Trump administration’s resettlement plan has been met with overwhelming rejection across the Arab world. Governments in Egypt, Jordan, and the Gulf states have categorically opposed the idea, arguing that any solution must involve the restoration of Palestinian sovereignty rather than their forced displacement.
Human rights organizations have also weighed in, warning that pressuring Palestinians to leave Gaza en masse could constitute a war crime under international law. “The forced transfer of a population under threat of violence is a grave breach of international humanitarian law,” said Sarah Legrain, a researcher at Human Rights Watch. “Any attempts to impose this plan would set a dangerous precedent.”
In response to the backlash, Arab nations have put forward an alternative reconstruction plan that would leave Palestinians in place while providing financial and infrastructural support to rebuild Gaza. However, U.S. and Israeli officials have continued to advocate for relocation, claiming it as a practical measure to end the long-standing conflict.
What Comes Next?
With mounting global opposition, the future of Trump’s plan remains uncertain. While the White House has yet to comment on the growing international condemnation, diplomatic sources indicate that U.S. officials are still lobbying African and Middle Eastern nations to reconsider.
For now, Somalia’s rejection of the proposal serves as a significant blow to the administration’s efforts. It also highlights the growing resistance among African nations to policies that undermine Palestinian sovereignty.
“History will judge those who enable the further displacement of Palestinians,” said Somali activist Hodan Ismail, addressing the Mogadishu crowd. “We will not be among them.”
As tensions continue to rise, all eyes will be on Washington and Tel Aviv to see whether they push forward with their proposal—or reconsider in the face of mounting global resistance.
