By Asha Elmi - Reporter
MOGADISHU, 28 September 2026 — Somalia would not accept an Israeli military base in Somaliland, Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre said in an interview with Dawan Media’s Miizaan Podcast aired on Saturday, arguing that any such presence without Mogadishu’s consent would be unlawful and could destabilise the Horn of Africa.
“The Somali government does not consent. We will not allow them to set foot there. If they do, they will have entered unlawfully, and the Somali people will not accept it,” Barre said.
The prime minister said the region was already contending with conflicts in Sudan and Ethiopia, while Somalia continued its fight against Al-Shabaab. “The Horn of Africa does not need another burden or another problem,” he said.
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Barre described a possible Israeli presence as “adding fuel to the region’s fire” and said Somalia wanted countries in the region to pursue peace, trade and cooperation.
His comments come amid growing discussion over possible Israeli military access to Somaliland. Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi has said there is currently no Israeli military presence but has expressed openness to future security cooperation and a possible Israeli presence. Earlier, Somaliland’s defence minister said Israel was providing military and police training but that no negotiations were underway to establish a military base.