Sudan and Somalia have both rejected U.S. requests to discuss resettling Palestinians from Gaza as proposed by Trump. Sudan claims to have rebuffed the idea multiple times, while Somalia maintains its support for Palestinian rights. The international backlash underscores the impracticality and legality concerns surrounding the proposal, as both countries remain determined in their positions.
Sudanese authorities have officially turned down a request from the United States to engage in discussions about the resettlement of Palestinians displaced from Gaza, alluding to Donald Trump’s strategy to transform the Gaza territory into a luxury location. Reports from the Associated Press indicate that both the U.S. and Israel have reached out to Sudan, Somalia, and Somaliland regarding this controversial proposal, demonstrating their intent to pursue the initiative despite widespread international backlash and significant logistical challenges.
Two officials from Sudan confirmed that the Trump administration had sought to discuss the possibility of resettling Palestinians, beginning before the inauguration of Trump, with offers of military assistance and postwar reconstruction incentives. However, the Sudanese government has firmly rejected this proposal, with one official stating, “This suggestion was immediately rebuffed. No one opened this matter again.”
Somalia’s foreign minister, Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, refrained from confirming any specific requests from the U.S. or Israel, yet he expressed that Somalia would oppose any plan that would undermine the Palestinian people’s rights. Trump’s proposal envisions the permanent displacement of Gaza’s over 2 million residents to transform the area into a high-end business and leisure destination, a move that international law experts consider illegal. Egypt and Jordan have also expressed strong opposition to the proposal.
The Palestinian population in Gaza has outright rejected the displacement plan and does not accept Israeli assertions that emigration would be voluntary. In contrast, Arab nations have suggested a different reconstruction strategy that would keep Palestinians in their homeland. The White House has reaffirmed Trump’s commitment to his vision for Gaza.
In confidential discussions, U.S. and Israeli officials revealed engagement with Somalia and Somaliland regarding the relocation of Palestinians. These discussions reportedly commenced shortly after Trump proposed his Gaza plan. However, Israeli and U.S. officials have refrained from making any comments regarding these initiatives.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lauds Trump’s proposal as a significant idea, while Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich points out efforts to identify countries willing to accept Palestinians. Legal experts have asserted that any forced emigration amidst an ongoing humanitarian crisis may constitute a war crime. Although Sudan normalized relations with Israel in 2020 under the Abraham Accords, the country subsequently fell into civil unrest and humanitarian crisis.
Reports suggest that U.S. officials attempted to negotiate various incentives for Sudan to agree to the proposal, including military support against the Rapid Support Forces. Sudan’s military leader, Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has unequivocally declared his nation’s opposition to any plans for Palestinian resettlement, emphasizing this at a recent summit in Cairo.
Somaliland, which seeks independence from Somalia without international recognition, has purportedly not been approached about resettling Palestinians, while Somali officials continue to support Palestinian rights and have declared no discussions have taken place about the plan. Given its history of ties with Arab nations and the ongoing influence of extremist groups, Somalia remains unlikely to host displaced Palestinians.
In summary, Sudan and Somalia have both rejected U.S. requests to discuss plans for the resettlement of Palestinians displaced from Gaza under Trump’s controversial proposal. Sudan has firmly turned down any such discussions, reiterating their commitment to supporting Palestinian rights. Somalia has also clarified that it remains against the use of its territory for the resettlement of displaced populations. The overall international reaction showcases widespread disapproval of the proposed initiatives.
Original Source: www.theguardian.com
