LIVE UPDATES AND DEVELOPMENT
European Union call on Ethiopia to “respect Somalia’s sovereignty”
BRUSSELS—Nabila Massrali, European Union’s spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, has released a statement, reaffirming Somalia’s rights to protect and defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“The European Union would like to remind the importance of respecting the unity, the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia pursuant of its constitution, the Charters of the African Union and the United Nations. This is key for the peace and stability of the entire Horn of Africa region,” the brief statement said.
Ethiopia/Somalia: EU Statement by the Spokesperson on the territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia
See more below 👇 https://t.co/4GA2APJNJb
— EU Delegation Somalia (@EU_in_Somalia) January 3, 2024
Turkey “express shock” over Ethiopia-Somaliland maritime pact
ISTANBUL—The Foreign Ministry of Türkiye expressed concern about a recent agreement signed by Ethiopia and Somalia’s breakaway region of Somaliland without the knowledge and consent of the Government of Somalia,” the ministry’s spokesman Öncü Keçeli said in a statement on Friday afternoon.
The Foreign Ministry of Türkiye expressed concern about a recent agreement signed by #Ethiopia and #Somalia’s breakaway region of #Somaliland, “without the knowledge and consent of the Government of Somalia,” Türkiye’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Öncü Keçeli said in a statement. pic.twitter.com/U8FOOGgf8a
— Turkish Politics 🇹🇷 (@TurkishPolitics) January 5, 2024
NAIROBI—Envoys from Arab nations based in Kenya hold an extraordinary meeting to discuss the simmering tension between Somalia and Ethiopia over maritime pact with Somaliland. Somalia’s ambassador to Kenya was in attendance.
Call for emergency IGAD meeting over Somalia-Ethiopia tension, MPs urge Ruto
NAIROBI- Section of Kenyan Members of Parliament (MP) have called on Ethiopia to “respect Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Eldas MP Adan Keynan, flanked by his Daadab counterpart Farah Maalim and other challenged the Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed “to reconsider his decision.”
“We know such a move will only lead to tension and political and diplomatic uncertainty at a time when the region has no shorts of conflicts,” said Farah Maalim adding that: “We had a lot of hope on Abiy, but he did not live up to our expectations,” added the former National Assembly speaker.
It’s of utmost importance that we put the record straight on reckless political adventurism. Wars are bloody & wrought with devastation & human sufferings. If we allow Abiy to seek territories through illegal means and violence then the Region will go to hell. Ethiopia will be… pic.twitter.com/8xtgoBOB4b
— Farah Maalim EGH (@FarahMaalimM) January 5, 2024
What PM Abiy Ahmed did was “outrageous and a recipe for disaster”, said Adan Keynan, Kenya’s longest serving lawmaker.
“We call on President Ruto to call for an emergency IGAD meeting to address the simmering tension in the Horn of Africa region. It is paramount that member countries respect other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Keynan noted.
The independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty of the great people and the Federal Republic of Somalia MUST be respected.
The leadership and the Government of Ethiopia should not only rescind their decision on the purported Somaliland agreement but also apologize to the… pic.twitter.com/ptSGHJR1UE
— Hon. (Dr.) Adan Keynan, CBS (@HonAdanKeynan) January 4, 2024
UK calls for calm, says it supports Somalia’s sovereignty
President Hassan Sheikh (right) with the UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in London on December, 2023
MOGADISHU—The United Kingdom has called for restrained in the simmering tension between Somalia and Ethiopia over maritime pact with Somaliland, the nothern breakaway administration.
“We reaffirm our full respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia,” a statement by British embassy in Mogadishu said.
The UK is concerned by escalating tensions in the Horn of Africa.
We reaffirm our full respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia.
We urge restraint and dialogue to peacefully resolve issues.
— UK in Somalia🇬🇧🇸🇴 (@UKinSomalia) January 4, 2024
Africa Union: Let each country respect the other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity
ADDIS ABABA- The Chairperson of the African Union has called on Somalia and Ethiopia to de-escalate the growing tension.
In a statement on Thursday morning, the chairman, Moussa Faki Mahamat called for ” calm and mutual respect to de-escalate the simmering tension between the Governments of Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Federal Republic of Somalia.
“In this regard He urges the two countries to refrain from any action that unintentionally may lead to a deterioration of the good relations between the two neighbouring Eastern African countries.
Moussa stressed “the imperative to respect unity, territorial integrity and full sovereignty of all African Union member states including Federal Republic of Somalia and Federal Democratic republic of Ethiopia.”
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission calls for mutual respect between Ethiopia and Somalia: https://t.co/U8IOXrboYW pic.twitter.com/ueCAR2A3zw
— African Union (@_AfricanUnion) January 4, 2024
We stand with Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, U.S says
WASHINGTON: Asked about the U.S. position on the Somalia-Ethiopia diplomatic fall-out over Somaliland maritime pact, State Department’s Spokesperson Matt Miller said: “The U.S. recognises the Federal Government of Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
———-
HARGEISA: Somaliland’s Foreign Affairs ministry has released a statement for the first time since Jan 1st maritime agreement with Ethiopia.
“The Government of the Republic of Somaliland calls upon all concerned parties to honor the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for Partnership and Cooperation signed between the Republic of Somaliland and the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia on January 1st, 2024. The Government of Somaliland emphasizes the importance of sovereign nations engaging in bilateral agreements that promote regional cooperation without external interference. To ensure this, we urge concerned parties to adhere to principles of international cooperation, diplomatic practice and mutual respect when addressing regional affairs, particularly to the Horn of Africa region.”
The Somaliland Government urges all concerned parties to respect the MoU between the Republic of Somaliland and the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopiahttps://t.co/gvmcbHwOJS
— MFA Somaliland (@somalilandmfa) January 3, 2024
————–
Egypt call on Ethiopia to “respect Somalia’s territorial integrity”
CAIRO: In a press release issued by its Ministry of Foreign Affairs today, the Arab Republic of Egypt expressed its full support for the position of the Federal Republic of Somalia, calling for the respect of its sovereignty and unity. The statement said: “Egypt rejects any action that threatens the national integrity of Somalia”, and affirmed that the Somali government and people are the sole beneficiaries of their natural resources.
Egypt also praised the statements of the regional and international countries that condemned the actions that jeopardize the stability of the Horn of Africa. Egypt urged the adherence to the African Union’s principles, which include the protection of the territorial integrity and borders of its member states.
——
JIGJIGA: The President of the Somali State of Ethiopia received Somaliland leader, Musa Bihi at Jigjiga. A statement released later stated that the two discussed various issues of mutual interest, including border security.”
——
MOGADISHU: Thousands continue to march, denouncing Ethiopia’s maritime pact with Somaliland.
——–
Arab Parliament express solidarity with Somalia
CAIRO: The Arab Parliament has strongly condemned any attempt by Ethiopia to undermine the sovereignty, independence and unity of the Federal Republic of Somalia. It urged Ethiopia to abide by the rules and principles of good neighbourliness, respect the autonomy of other governments and refrain from meddling in their internal affairs, in order to preserve the security and stability of the region.
The Arab Parliament emphasized that Somalia’s security and stability and the preservation of its national integrity are integral to the security of the Arab nation. It affirmed that the Arab Parliament stands in solidarity with the Federal Republic of Somalia in its legal actions to safeguard its stability and national interests.
——
The Federal Government of Somalia has condemned statement by the Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Dr. Wokneh Gebeyehu.
According to statement by the Somalia’s ministry of information published by the State news agency, Dr Wokneh was accused of siding with Ethiopia in his statement.
“We call on the Executive Secretary to immediately apologize, withdraw the statement and take appropriate action,” the statement said in part.
The Federal Government of #Somalia strongly opposes the recent statement from the Executive Secretary of #IGAD, deeming it biased towards the #Ethiopian Government. We call on the Executive Secretary to immediately apologize, withdraw the statement and take appropriate action. pic.twitter.com/wfp0LdV1Si
— SONNA (@SONNALIVE) January 3, 2024
Earlier, IGAD, an African Union Economic Community, released a statement written by the Dr. Wokneh.
It read: ”
The Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu expresses deep concern regarding recent developments in relations between the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE) and the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS). IGAD is diligently monitoring the situation and recognises the potential implications for regional stability.
Given the circumstances, the Executive Secretary urges IGAD leaders to be seized, and appeals to the two sisterly countries to collaborate towards a peaceful and amicable resolution of the situation, upholding the shared values that unite the IGAD family.
IGAD remains steadfast in its commitment to promoting peace, stability, cooperation, and regional integration.”
—January 3, 2024 (Djibouti, Djibouti): The Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu expresses deep concern regarding recent developments in relations between the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE) and the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS). IGAD is diligently monitoring the situation and recognises the potential implications for regional stability.
Given the circumstances, the Executive Secretary urges IGAD leaders to be seized, and appeals to the two sisterly countries to collaborate towards a peaceful and amicable resolution of the situation, upholding the shared values that unite the IGAD family.
IGAD remains steadfast in its commitment to promoting peace, stability, cooperation, and regional integration.”
——–
Redwan Hussien, the National Security Advisor to PM Abiy Ahmed, explaining what Ethiopia gains to stand from its maritime agreement with Somaliland
[With subtitles]
Redwan Hussien, the National Security Advisor to PM Abiy Ahmed, explaining what Ethiopia gains to stand from its maritime agreement with Somaliland
[With subtitles] #Somalia pic.twitter.com/339PKK3Vcp
— Kulan Post (@kulanpost) January 2, 2024
Somali President held a bilateral meeting with the Emir of Qatar over the phone.
HH the Amir and Somali President Discuss Bilateral Relations, Regional and Global Issues. #QNA #Qatar #Somaliahttps://t.co/54zgl6ysVq pic.twitter.com/iT7l1x0Qyg
— Qatar News Agency (@QNAEnglish) January 2, 2024
Tuesday, 11 PM:
BREAKING: President Ruto meets with Somalia’s Foreign Minister, Ali Mohamed Omar at State House, Nairobi amid diplomatic fall-out between Mogadishu and Addis Ababa over Ethiopia’s maritime pact with the breakaway administration of Somaliland.
Kenya is committed to enhancing cooperation with Somalia and South Sudan on matters of mutual interest. Our goal is to expand trade, secure the stability and prosperity of East Africa by working together to combat terrorism, resolve conflicts and build a durable peace across our… pic.twitter.com/bdN7KdMFSf
— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) January 2, 2024
ADDIS ABABA—On Monday, Somaliland sisigned a pact with Ethiopia, allowing the landlocked nation to “secure access to the sea and seaport” along the breakaway nation.
“The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Somaliland’s President Muse Bihi Abdi, who has been on a state visit to Ethiopia since Sunday,” The Addis Standard reported.
“The MoU will enable Ethiopia to secure access to the Sea and diversify its access to seaports,” the pact, signed at Addis Ababa, reads in part.
According to the official readout, the MoU will “pave the way to realize the aspiration of Ethiopia to secure access to the sea and diversify its access to seaports.”
Redwan Hussien, National Security Advisor to PM Abiy, said the MoU will also “pave the way for accessing a leased military base on Red Sea.”
The cabinet will convene an emergency meeting tomorrow (Tuesday) to discuss and make decisions regarding the agreement that was said to have been reached by the Somaliland administration (northern regions of the country) and Ethiopia. pic.twitter.com/K0TeQYZtW9
— SONNA (@SONNALIVE) January 1, 2024
However, a statement by the Somali information ministry on Monday evening stated that: “The cabinet will convene an emergency meeting tomorrow (Tuesday) to discuss and make decisions regarding the agreement that was said to have been reached by the Somaliland administration (northern regions of the country) and Ethiopia.”
In August last year, an Ethiopian delegation led by the transport and logistics minister Alemu Sime travelled to Hargeisa, the capital of Somaliland, to look at more port options for Ethiopia.
The delegation has met and discussed with the Somaliland government officials about making Berbera Port an additional option for Ethiopian import export trade activities.
The official pact issued today did not specify the terms of the MoU through which Ethiopia will secure access to the Sea through Somaliland.
