Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud stated in an exclusive interview that his nation will not permit Israeli presence under any circumstances and will resist efforts to involve the country in regional Middle Eastern disputes. The president expressed concern over what he characterized as Israeli intentions to establish military infrastructure in the port city of Berbera and utilize its airport facilities.
Mohamud indicated that Israel’s underlying objective involves positioning itself closer to Gulf states and Iran. He contended that such activities are connected to broader territorial ambitions he described as the “Greater Israel” project, referencing proposals for Israeli control extending beyond current borders. The Somali leader described Israel as a destabilizing force that violates international law. His comments also addressed Israel’s recognition of Somaliland last December, which Mohamud characterized as problematic given that residents of the region oppose Israeli involvement and no other nation recognizes Somaliland’s independence.
On regional security matters, Mohamud emphasized that the United States remains Somalia’s strongest partner in counterterrorism efforts. He stated that armed group al-Shabab maintains no significant presence in major cities, indicating minimal prospects for the organization to seize control of the country. The president characterized Yemen’s Houthi movement as a destabilizing element disrupting maritime navigation in the Bab al-Mandeb strait.
Mohamud also addressed relations with neighboring Ethiopia, indicating the relationship is stable and that Somalia does not object to agreements allowing Ethiopian access to Somali ports for commercial purposes. He stated this arrangement serves Ethiopia’s economic interests while maintaining cordial bilateral ties. The full interview was scheduled for broadcast on Al Jazeera Arabic later this week.
Article Attribution | Read More at Article Source
Article summary produced by Claude AI