A clip of #Somaliland schoolchildren in their uniforms, expressing spontaneous views, has been transformed by Al Jazeera into a major political issue broadcast to millions across the Arab world and beyond.
The question is not what the children said in their innocence, but why the network chose to amplify this particular clip and present it to its audience in this manner.
BREAKING: Somalia’s Defence Minister, Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, launched a scathing attack on Israel and Somaliland’s diplomatic ties, describing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a “devil” and arguing that Israel’s recognition of Somaliland has no legitimacy because, in his view, Israel is an occupying state.
Fiqi also claimed President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (Cirro) had aligned Somaliland with “the greatest enemy of Islam,” alleging that the move had turned what he described as the Somaliland issue from a Somali matter into one opposed by the wider Muslim world. He further asserted that Somaliland’s relationship with Israel would ultimately fail.
The minister’s remarks included rhetoric directed at the Jewish state and have drawn criticism from some observers as antisemitic, particularly his characterization of Israel and its prime minister. The comments are likely to fuel further diplomatic tensions following Israel’s recognition of Somaliland and the deepening cooperation between Hargeisa and Jerusalem.
#Somaliland #Somalia #Israel #MiddleEast #HornOfAfrica #Diplomacy
Bismillahi Rahmani Rahiim;
I have arrived in Israel as the first President of the Republic of Somaliland to undertake a State Visit, and I am honoured by the warm welcome extended by my friend, President @Isaac_Herzog
For thirty-five years, the people of Somaliland have built a peaceful, democratic, and resilient nation. We asked the world: Do you see us? Israel answered first. Today marks a historic milestone in our journey and the beginning of a new chapter in the relationship between Somaliland and Israel.
To the people of Somaliland: I carry your hopes and aspirations with me. Generations have struggled, sacrificed, and persevered to bring our nation to this moment. We will seize this opportunity with confidence, wisdom, and determination, always guided by the interests of our people and our Republic.
Today, history is being written, and Somaliland stands ready to forge a shared future founded on friendship, cooperation, and mutual respect.
#SomalilandIsrael
The video clearly shows the President of Mogadishu promoting antisemitic rhetoric through inflammatory and hostile remarks directed against Jews and Israel.
For anyone who forgot, this is what the African Union itself determined regarding Somaliland:
“The fact that the union between Somaliland and Somalia was never ratified and also malfunctioned when it went into action from 1960 to 1990, makes Somaliland's search for recognition historically unique and self-justified in African political history.”
BREAKING: A military aircraft carrying heavy weapons has landed at Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu, #Somalia, reportedly arriving from Qatar , with cargo still being offloaded.
This marks the third weapons shipment to Mogadishu this week — following earlier military deliveries from Türkiye and Egypt .
The development comes after the Somalia government publicly announced its intention to confront and oppose #Israel’s recognition of the Republic of #Somaliland, vowing to resist the move and seeking international backing.
Regional observers warn the growing militarisation could further heighten tensions in the Horn of Africa.
Having worked on U.S. CT policies in Somalia, it was interesting to meet Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi on the sideline of the @WorldGovSummit. We discussed Israel's recent recognition and the potential for President Trump to do the same in the years ahead.
BREAKING :#Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud delivered a televised address accusing Israel of “military expansionism” in the Horn of Africa, land-grabbing, genocide, and the displacement of Palestinians—calling @IsraeliPM Benjamin @netanyahu a “wanted fugitive.”
Hassan questioned the right of the Jewish state to exist at all, claiming the land belongs to “#Palestine,” and portrayed Israel as a “genocidal state,” a deliberate and calculated attempt to delegitimise it.
The speech came hours before a delegation of the Communist Party of China arrived in Mogadishu.
Hassan claimed Somalia, with Arab states and Turkey, will “drive Israel out of the HoA.”