Somali prime minister expresses support for Hamas, sparks controversy on Ukraine

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Somali prime minister expresses support for Hamas, sparks controversy on Ukraine

MOGADISHU (HORN OBSERVER) – In a startling and controversial statement delivered on Thursday, Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre expressed support for the Palestinian armed group Hamas, categorically stating that they are "not terroris

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Somali PM Hamza Abdi Barre describes Hamas as a liberation movement.

MOGADISHU (HORN OBSERVER) – In a startling and controversial statement delivered on Thursday, Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre expressed support for the Palestinian armed group Hamas, categorically stating that they are "not terrorists."

The remarks were made during a religious gathering in the capital city, Mogadishu.

This declaration has ignited a national debate, as the United Kingdom, the United States, and several European countries continue to classify Hamas as a terrorist organization.

Prime Minister Barre’s remarks have raised questions about Somalia’s stance on terrorism and its foreign policy, given the ongoing financial support it receives from Western nations.

Prime Minister Barre, who hails from an Islamist background, announced his intention to provide support to Hamas in Gaza while chastising the West for its perceived silence on the Palestinian crisis.

Despite the fact that Somalia’s fragile government receives significant funding from Western countries, Barre accused these nations of failing to take a strong stance on the issue.

The controversial statement didn’t stop at expressing support for Hamas; Prime Minister Barre used derogatory language to describe Jewish people, referring to them as "children of pigs and dogs.” This shocking characterization left many Somalis in the gathering stunned, while some in attendance cheered and applauded his comments.

Furthermore, Barre called for the elimination of Israelis and portrayed Jews as "cruel people.” Drawing parallels with the Al-Shabaab terrorists in the Somalia, he emphasized the need to fight Israel in the same way that they combat groups like Al-Shabaab, who have been responsible for violence and loss of life in Somalia.

"We will not accept anything less than a Palestinian-owned state with its capital in Qudus/Jerusalem,” Prime Minister Barre asserted, making it clear that he stands firmly with Hamas on this issue.

In addition to his support for Hamas, Prime Minister Barre addressed the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, characterizing Russia’s war on Ukraine as a "rightful move.”

His statement directly contradicts the Western viewpoint that this conflict represents an attack on democracy.

The timing of these remarks is significant, occurring as President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud continues to seek Western support in the fight against the extremist group Al-Shabaab.

Somalia has also been actively engaged in diplomatic discussions, notably with China, and sent a delegation to the Russian-Africa summit in St. Petersburg in July. Following these diplomatic efforts, Russia granted Somalia debt relief amounting to over $684 million, a development acknowledged by Somali officials.

The Somali government’s alignment with controversial international stances on issues such as Hamas and the Russia-Ukraine conflict raises questions about the nation’s foreign policy direction and the consequences of its choices on diplomatic relations with key Western allies.

As this controversy unfolds, it remains to be seen how Somalia will navigate the intricate web of global politics and its internal divisions.

The international community will be closely monitoring the repercussions of Prime Minister Barre’s bold statements, which may significantly impact Somalia’s relationships with Western nations and its place on the world stage.