The Injustice of Displacement: Somaliland government should reject Palestinian Refugee Resettlement.
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I have read a report from Al Jazeera news stating that Israel and the U.S. government are pressuring East African countries to accept Palestinian refugees fleeing Gaza. This raises the question of why there is a desire to relocate those displaced from Gaza to East Africa, a region already facing conflict, displacement, and devastation.

I am a concerned citizen who is perplexed by reports that the U.S. and Israel are planning to relocate Palestinians from Gaza, with some potentially being brought to Somaliland. I am among those who advocate for human rights. I do not belong to the Somaliland government, but I feel compelled to express my views on the ongoing debates surrounding the forced relocation of Palestinian refugees from their homeland. This situation raises serious ethical concerns about human dignity.

I am also a former refugee who fled Somaliland during the civil war in the late 1980s and lived in European countries for more than twenty years. I understand the challenges associated with displacement and being a refugee. We are particularly astonished by the rapid changes occurring in Western countries, which are affecting their policies and the threats emerging from those developments.

I am astonished by the government’s actions, which were once associated with principles of justice, human rights, civil liberties, and democracy. It seems contradictory for a government that claims to uphold these values to engage in actions that would perpetrate injustice and violate international laws and human rights.
The plight of the Palestinian people must be addressed with respect and compassion. It is essential that we advocate for their rights to remain in their homeland rather than forcibly relocating them to other regions, including Somaliland, where they may face additional challenges.

In this critical moment, it is vital for the global community to stand up against oppression and support the rights of all individuals, regardless of their nationality or background. We must ensure that the principles of justice and human dignity prevail.

As the people of Somaliland, we have endured oppression and massacres for over 60 years, with a weak Somali government committing atrocities against us. In 1988 alone, around 200,000 people were killed, many other were injured and another million were forced to flee from their homes. The world watched us suffer, with the U.S. and the United Nations rendering us unrecognized, which further marginalized Somaliland.

Regarding the Palestinian issue, the people of Somaliland will never accept the influx of Palestinian refugees. It is unjust to displace the rightful inhabitants of Palestine and suggest they “move from Gaza.” President Trump stated that countries are being taken by force, but it is not acceptable to forcibly take Palestine.

The land of Palestine rightfully belongs to the Palestinians, and any attempt to return it to the Jews is an injustice. This situation should not extend to Somaliland, where we are told to “recognize” this while aiding in the oppression. I see this as a violation of human rights and a gross injustice.

If the U.S. wishes to address this matter, it should seek solutions for the Jewish people, but it must not bring in Palestinian refugees who cannot be accepted. Palestine has the right to peace, its own land, and an independent state. The U.S. recognition tied to the oppression and violations against the Palestinians should be deemed unacceptable.

If the U.S. wants to engage in agreements with Somaliland, we are open to discussing the interests of both nations. However, we cannot accept the forced resettlement of refugees in exchange for recognition. While independent states do not necessarily need recognition, it is essential for gaining access to bilateral agreements and becoming a member of the UN and other international organizations.

Somaliland has met all the requirements to be recognized as an independent state. There is no law, either international or regional, that opposes its independence. In due time, as destined by God, it will receive the recognition it deserves. Somaliland has the capacity to address injustice and should not participate in the oppression of others, nor should it forcibly relocate people from their homeland to foreign countries.

Best wishes,

Dr. Abdi A. Hassan,
Human rights activist in the Horn of Africa.