Sudan has declined a request from the United States to consider accepting Palestinians displaced from Gaza as part of Donald Trump's plan to transform the area into a Mediterranean resort. Reports indicate that both the US and Israel reached out to officials in Sudan, Somalia, and Somaliland about resettling Palestinians. This move suggests a commitment to Trump's proposal, despite global criticism and logistical challenges, or perhaps an effort to prompt other regional solutions for Gaza post-conflict.
Two Sudanese officials confirmed that the Trump administration had approached their military-led government with the idea of hosting Palestinians. These discussions reportedly began before Trump's presidency, with offers of military aid against the Rapid Support Forces and other incentives. However, the Sudanese government promptly dismissed the proposal. "This matter was never revisited," one official stated.
Somalia's Foreign Minister, Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, neither confirmed nor denied any requests but emphasized Somalia's opposition to using its territory for resettling other populations, asserting the Palestinians' right to remain on their land.
Trump's plan involves relocating over 2 million Gaza residents to make way for a luxury international destination, a move experts argue is illegal under international law. Initial suggestions included Egypt and Jordan as potential destinations, but both countries rejected the idea. Palestinians in Gaza have also opposed the plan, dismissing Israeli claims that relocation would be voluntary. In response, Arab nations have proposed an alternative reconstruction plan that allows Palestinians to stay.
The White House maintains that Trump supports his vision. US and Israeli officials, speaking anonymously, described outreach efforts to Somalia and Somaliland, though the progress and level of these discussions remain unclear. Contacts with these regions began shortly after Trump announced the Gaza plan, with Israel leading the discussions. Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have not commented, though Netanyahu praised the proposal as a "bold vision." Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a proponent of "voluntary" Palestinian emigration, stated that Israel is identifying potential host countries.
Legal experts warn that forced emigration amid Gaza's humanitarian crisis could be illegal and potentially a war crime. Sudan, one of the nations that normalized relations with Israel in 2020, is currently embroiled in a civil war with significant human rights abuses. US officials, aware of the challenges in relocating Palestinians to Sudan, offered incentives, including military support against the RSF, backed by the UAE, a US ally. Accepting the proposal would align the US with a side accused of war crimes and join Russia in the conflict, as Putin considers a US ceasefire proposal for Ukraine.
Even before these developments, Sudan had expressed its refusal to host Palestinians, citing its own humanitarian crisis. General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Sudan's de facto leader, reiterated at a Cairo summit that Sudan "categorically rejects" any plan to relocate Palestinians from their homeland.
Somaliland, with over 3 million residents, declared independence from Somalia three decades ago but lacks international recognition. A US official confirmed quiet discussions with Somaliland about potential cooperation in exchange for recognition. However, a Somaliland official stated there have been no talks about accepting Palestinians. Somalia, a strong Palestinian supporter, also denied any discussions on the matter. The country has strengthened ties with Arab states and Turkey, despite parts being controlled by al-Shabaab, an extremist group linked to al-Qaida.