In an unexpected move that signals a potential thawing of relations, Somalia has agreed to participate in Israel’s long-delayed annual Negev Forum scheduled to take place in Morocco this year, U.S media reported citing Israeli officials.
This unprecedented development comes despite the absence of formal diplomatic ties between the two nations.
It also suggests Somalia’s willingness to engage with Israel and potentially establish official diplomatic relations, a move that carries profound implications for both nations and the wider region.
The Negev Forum, born out of a summit organized in March 2022 by former Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid at the Kibbutz of Sde Boker in Israel’s Negev desert, aims to foster cooperation and normalize relations among Bahrain, Egypt, Morocco, the United Arab Emirates and the State of Israel.
These countries were involved in the Abraham Accords, US-brokered agreements designed to normalize relations between Israel and Arab nations.
However, the remarkable decision by Somalia, an overwhelmingly Muslim nation and also a member of the Arab League to participate in the forum as an observer comes as a surprise given the historical absence of diplomatic relations between the two nations.
According to Israeli officials and Axios, an online American newspaper, the current Somali administration led by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who was reelected as the country’s president last year, has been engaged in discreet talks with Israel for years, with officials recently made secret trips to the country. Israeli media also reported that President Mohamud himself made a secret visit to Tel Aviv last year and held talks with senior Israeli officials.
Meanwhile, Somalia’s decision to participate the forum has faced criticism from many citizens and political groups who argue that engaging with Israel without establishing formal diplomatic ties undermines the Palestinian cause.
Critics maintain that Somalia should instead prioritize demonstrating solidarity with the State Palestine and advocate for the rights of its people under Israeli occupation.
Somali officials were not available for comment and calls by the Horn Examiner seeking responses went unanswered.
ISRAEL-MOROCCO NORMALIZATION
Israel’s decision to recognize Morocco’s claim on the Western Sahara was linked to the North African nation hosting the long-delayed Negev forum of foreign ministers involved in a US-sponsored regional normalization initiative.
For decades, Morocco has been engaged in a dispute with the Algeria-backed Polisario Front, a separatist movement seeking independence for the Western Sahara.
Despite Morocco having been in control of the region since 1975, It has yet to secure an international recognition for its sovereignty.
Informal ties between Morocco and Israel have existed for some time, but in December 2020, both countries agreed to normalize their relations.
The agreement was facilitated by former US President Donald Trump, who has recognized Morocco’s sovereignty over the Western Sahara.
As part of the normalization deal, Morocco said it was committed to establishing full diplomatic relations with Israel, resuming official contacts and allowing Israeli flights to use its airspace.
In 2021, the two nations further solidified their relationship by signing another agreement focused on cultural, sports, and youth cooperation.
However, the current US administration under President Joe Biden said it will review the previous administration’s decision to recognize Morocco’s claim over the Western Sahara.
Alarmed by Biden’s remarks, Morocco, which despite having previously expressed its willingness to establish full diplomatic relations with Israel and upgrade their existing mid-level diplomatic missions to embassies, the north African country has had a change of heart and shifted its position.
As a result, the Moroccan government decided to postpone the Negev Forum, initially scheduled for last month, citing Israel’s actions towards Palestinians as the reason for the delay.
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