Sudan and Somalia have rejected US requests to discuss resettling Palestinians from Gaza under Trump’s controversial plan. Sudanese officials confirmed that the proposal was rebuffed, while Somalia stated commitment to Palestinian rights. The initiative has faced widespread condemnation and legal challenges regarding forced resettlement.
Sudanese officials have formally rejected a United States request to discuss the resettlement of Palestinians displaced from Gaza as per former President Donald Trump’s proposal. This initiative aimed to convert Gaza into a high-end leisure and business destination, dubbed the “Riviera on the Mediterranean.” Reports indicate that US and Israeli officials sought talks with Sudan, as well as Somalia and Somaliland, despite considerable international condemnation and logistical challenges associated with such resettlement plans.
Two officials from Sudan’s military-led government confirmed the US approached them regarding this matter. These discussions reportedly began prior to Trump’s inauguration and included offers of military assistance and incentives tied to the army’s fight against paramilitary forces. Both officials stated that Sudan categorically rejected the US proposals, asserting, “This suggestion was immediately rebuffed.”
Somalia’s foreign minister, Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, did not directly acknowledge any overtures from the US or Israel but reiterated Somalia’s rejection of any plans that would compromise the rights of the Palestinian people to reside in their homeland peacefully. Experts assert that any forced resettlement under Trump’s plan would contravene international law.
Initially, Egypt and Jordan were among the suggested nations for relocating displaced Palestinians; however, both countries opposed the plan vehemently. Palestinians in Gaza have expressed strong objections as well and dismissed Israeli claims that any such resettlement would be voluntary. In addition, Arab nations are proposing an alternative multibillion-dollar reconstruction plan that keeps Palestinians in their homeland.
The White House has reiterated Trump’s commitment to his vision despite the controversy it evokes. US and Israeli officials revealed that outreach efforts to Somalia and Somaliland commenced shortly after Trump announced his Gaza proposal. However, it remains unclear the extent of progress in these discussions.
Israeli officials have not publicly commented on this initiative. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has characterized Trump’s proposal as a “bold vision,” while his finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, has indicated that Israel seeks to identify nations willing to accept Palestinians.
International legal experts warn that, given the humanitarian situation in Gaza, any forced emigration may be unlawful and could amount to war crimes. Sudan, which had normalized relations with Israel as part of the Abraham Accords, is currently mired in civil conflict, complicating any efforts toward Palestinian resettlement.
US officials have proposed various incentives to Sudan’s government, including military assistance, potentially complicating the geopolitical landscape further. Sudan’s military head, Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has vocally rejected the resettlement proposal, expressing the country’s firm stance against transferring Palestinians from their land under any pretext.
Somaliland and Somalia have also shown no willingness to engage in discussions concerning the resettlement of Palestinians. An official from Somaliland indicated that there had been no approaches regarding this issue. Furthermore, Somalia remains committed to supporting Palestinian rights and has not entertained any proposals for their resettlement, especially given its ties to Arab nations and its understanding of the Palestinian cause.
In summary, Sudan has categorically rejected the United States’ request to discuss the resettlement of Palestinians displaced from Gaza under Trump’s proposal. Alongside Sudan, Somalia has also refused to consider any such initiatives, emphasizing the importance of Palestinian rights in their ancestral land. The complicated geopolitical landscape further complicates US efforts aimed at promoting this plan, which faces significant opposition both regionally and internationally.
Original Source: www.theguardian.com
