Financial Times Report Suggests that the United States and Israel have approached several African nations, including Somalia, Sudan, and the breakaway region of Somaliland, to discuss the potential resettlement of Palestinians from Gaza. These talks are reportedly part of former U.S. President Donald Trump’s broader vision, which involves depopulating Gaza and transforming it into a tourism and business hub.

According to sources familiar with the discussions, U.S. officials have engaged in preliminary talks with Somaliland’s government about a potential deal that would involve U.S. recognition of Somaliland in exchange for the establishment of a military base near the port city of Berbera. Although the relocation of Palestinian refugees was mentioned, it appears not to be the main focus of these early conversations.

The proposal has already faced strong opposition from both global and regional actors. The Arab League, Egypt, and Jordan have condemned the idea of forcibly displacing Palestinians, seeing it as a violation of international law. The Somali government has also rejected the idea, asserting that “Gaza belongs to Palestinians.” Meanwhile, Somaliland’s President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Irro has denied any talks about hosting refugees, instead calling for a diplomatic solution supported by Arab nations.

The plan faces logistical and security challenges, especially as Sudan and Somalia are embroiled in civil wars, making large-scale resettlement of refugees practically impossible. In Somaliland, analysts caution that accepting Palestinian refugees could destabilize the region and embolden Islamist groups, which would pose a significant risk to the fragile governance and security of the breakaway state.

The future of these discussions remains uncertain, as Trump’s Africa team is still being assembled, and the U.S. is reevaluating its engagement with Somalia. There are reports suggesting that the U.S. could cut funding and potentially close its embassy in Mogadishu. Meanwhile, Sudan’s ongoing civil war makes it an unlikely partner for relocation plans.

While the U.S. is exploring the possibility of recognizing Somaliland in exchange for military cooperation, the broader initiative to relocate Palestinians to Africa appears to be encountering strong political resistance, humanitarian concerns, and logistical obstacles. These talks are still in their early stages, with no formal agreements in place.