Is Somalia President’s Most Trusted Diplomat on a Secret Trip to Israel?
Claims that Somalia’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ali Omar, secretly traveled to Israel carrying a message from President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud have circulated widely online. Omar has reacted to the reports, but the speculation comes amid renewed discussion about the future of Somalia-Israel relations following Israel’s recognition of Somaliland.
Somalia’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ali Omar, is widely regarded as President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s most trusted diplomat. [Photo: AA]
MOGADISHU (Somali Report) — Claims circulating on Somali social media and local media outlets alleging that Somalia’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ali Omar Balcad, traveled secretly to Israel have fueled speculation about possible behind-the-scenes contacts between Mogadishu and Tel Aviv.
The reports, which have not been independently verified by Somali Report, claimed that Balcad had arrived in Tel Aviv carrying a letter from President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. Some of the posts cited unnamed diplomatic sources and suggested the visit was linked to ongoing regional diplomatic developments following Israel’s recognition of Somaliland in late 2025.
The claims quickly gained attention online because of Balcad’s position as one of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s closest and most trusted diplomats. During the diplomatic crisis that followed Ethiopia’s controversial memorandum of understanding with Somaliland in early 2024, Balcad played a central role in Somalia’s international campaign against the deal and was heavily involved in the negotiations that ultimately led to the Ankara Declaration between Somalia and Ethiopia.
However, the minister has publicly rejected the reports.
In a statement posted on his official X account, Balcad described the allegations as false and baseless.
“This report is false and has no basis in truth,” he wrote, dismissing claims that he had traveled to Israel.
The minister also noted that Somalia and Israel do not maintain diplomatic relations and said there was no basis for the reports circulating online.
The denial came as Balcad continued carrying out official duties in Mogadishu. On the same day, he posted photographs and details of a meeting with Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and a candidate for the position of UN Secretary-General.
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“Had a fruitful discussion with H.E. Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary-General of UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and current candidate for UN Secretary-General post in Mogadishu,” Balcad wrote on X.
When contacted by Somali Report regarding the allegations, the minister declined to comment further beyond his public denial.
The claims nevertheless emerged against the backdrop of growing discussion about the future of relations between Somalia and Israel.
Earlier this week, Somalia’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Abdulkadir Hashi, indicated in an interview with Al Jazeera Arabic that Mogadishu could be open to discussing diplomatic relations with Israel in the future under the framework of a two-state solution to the Palestinian issue.
“At the right time, within the confines of a two-state solution to the Palestinian question, we are more than willing to discuss bilateral relations between the Somali Republic and Israel,” Hashi said.
The comments followed recent remarks by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who revealed that Israel had approached Somalia several times seeking diplomatic relations before formally recognizing Somaliland.
According to the president, Somalia declined those overtures because of concerns related to religion, humanitarian principles, human rights, and regional stability.
The speculation surrounding Balcad’s alleged travel also coincides with increasing public attention on Israel’s engagement in the Horn of Africa following its recognition of Somaliland and the subsequent state visit by Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi to Jerusalem.
For now, however, no evidence has emerged to substantiate claims that the Somali state minister traveled to Israel, and Somalia’s government continues to maintain its longstanding position of having no diplomatic relations with the country.
About the Author
Mohamed Farah is a senior editor at Somali Report, based in London, covering geopolitics, trade, business, and security across the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea region.