Somalia wades into Khashoggi murder row, sides with Saudi Arabia

By T. Roble

Somalia has pronounced itself over the ongoing row over the murder of the Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi pitying Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the US as pressure mounts on Riyadh to come out clear on the disappearance and murder of the journalist.

Foreign Affairs Ministry Monday urged against what it termed as campaigns against Saudi as US and European countries warned of consequences against the Saudi Kingdom in addition to withdrawal by major US companies from the upcoming trade summit in Riyadh.

“The Government of the Federal Republic of Somalia reaffirms its position in support of the stability and sovereignty of Arab states, and announces the full support of our brother Saudi Arabia opposes anyone trying to harm its role and interests,” a statement from the ministry read in part.

“The Federal Republic of Somalia is urging the need to avoid deviations or campaigns targeting or harming the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” Somalia added.

TIGHT SPOT

The government’s position once again puts the country in a tight spot with its allies involved in a dispute. Turkey which is a strong ally of Somalia and is currently training its soldiers besides running a number of projects in the country has pressed Saudi Arabia over the killing of Khashoggi. The New York Times reported last week President Recep Erdoğan had sent anonymous persons to major media houses to push a position that Saudi Arabia was responsible for the killing.

Saudi Arabia is a major donor to Somalia and has been pumping millions of dollars annually to support the country’s national budget.

Major U.S media outlets and companies cancelled their participation and sponsorship of the Future Investment Initiative (FII), which begins in the Saudi capital on 23 October. Among them are the New York Times, Washington Post, Financial Times, CNN and taxi company Uber.

But Saudi Arabia fired back Sunday pledging ‘greater action’ in the event of any action against its interests.

The state news agency SPA quoted an unnamed government source as saying: “The Kingdom affirms its total rejection of any threats and attempts to undermine it, whether by threatening to impose economic sanctions, using political pressures, or repeating false accusations.”

“The Kingdom also affirms that if it receives any action, it will respond with greater action, and that the Kingdom’s economy has an influential and vital role in the global economy.”

Somalia is not new to picking sides in disputes involving Saudi Arabia. In August, Somalia made known its support and allegiance to Saudi Arabia following a diplomatic fall-out with Canada which led to Saudi Arabia announcing drastic economic action against the North American country.

The government came under intense public pressure as Somalis questioned the rationale for support of Saudi Arabia yet Canada had hosted many Somalis some them expelled by Saudi Arabia.

The move to side with Saudi Arabia is a deviation from President Mohamed Farmaajo’s neutrality stance which saw his administration present a noninterference position in the Gulf Crisis.

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