Balcad Denies Israel Visit, Warns Against Social Media Disinformation

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: Somalia’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ali Omar Ali Balcad, has denied reports circulating on social media alleging that he had made a secret visit to Israel, dismissing the claims as false and misleading.

In a statement posted on his X account, Balcad said reports suggesting he had travelled to Tel Aviv had “no basis in fact” and described them as disinformation intended to mislead the public.

“I have not travelled to Israel,” the minister said, adding that he would continue carrying out his official duties on behalf of the Somali government.

The denial came after social media users shared posts and images purporting to show that the minister had undertaken an undisclosed visit to Tel Aviv, triggering debate and speculation online.

No evidence was provided publicly to substantiate the claims, and Somali authorities have not announced any changes to the country’s longstanding position on relations with Israel.

Somalia does not maintain diplomatic relations with Israel and has traditionally aligned itself with broader Arab and Islamic positions supporting Palestinian statehood. The issue remains politically sensitive in Somalia, where public opinion has generally been sympathetic to the Palestinian cause.

In recent years, speculation about possible contacts between Israel and several countries in the Horn of Africa has periodically surfaced, particularly following the normalization agreements signed between Israel and a number of Arab states under the Abraham Accords. However, Somalia has repeatedly reaffirmed its support for Palestinian self-determination and has not signaled any shift in its official policy.

Balcad urged the public to exercise caution when consuming information on social media and to rely on verified statements from official sources.

The incident highlights the growing challenge posed by misinformation and unverified content on social media platforms, which have increasingly become a source of political controversy and public debate in Somalia and across the wider East African region.