Villa Somalia denies reports of President Mohamud’s travel to Israel

GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU: Villa Somalia has denied claims that the Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud visited the Israeli capital Tel Aviv, during his trip to the United Arabs Emirates.

Presidential spokesman Abdikarin Ali Kaar  brushed off the reports saying Somalia and Israel did not share any diplomatic relationship.

The rumors about the President’s trip to Israel was sparked by his delayed return from the UAE. President Mohamud’s two-day visit to Abu Dhabi had turned into a week, causing ripples across social media networks.

Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and his delegation left for the United Arab Emirates on June 19 and returned on Friday, June 24. Sources say members of the delegation accompanying the Somali president were quarantined in the United Arab Emirates after they tested positive for COVID-19 hence the delay in his return into the country.