Somalia recalls its envoy in Addis Ababa, directs Ethiopia’s ambassador to leave Mogadishu “within 72 hours” as diplomatic fall-out deepens

By: Hassan Adan Yarrow 

MOGADISHU—The Government of Somalia has passed a resolution on Thursday to close the Ethiopian “consulates” in Hargeisa and Garowe.

Through a unanimous cabinet resolution, Mogadishu also recalled its envoy in Addis Ababa and directed the Ethiopian ambassador “to leave Somalia within 72 hours.

This latest diplomatic fall-out comes in the wake of a “collaboration deal signed by the Ethiopian government with the regional government of Puntland on Wednesday.”

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has initiated diplomatic actions upholding #Somalia’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity, following the Council’s resolution against #Ethiopia’s infringement on Somalia's internal affairs. Read more⤵️ pic.twitter.com/VPEgf2if7G

— SONNA (@SONNALIVE) April 4, 2024

The move by Mogadishu to declare the “consultates in Garowe and Hargeisa non-binding” is projected to further escalate the diplomatic tension between Mogadishu and Addis Ababa.

The recent diplomatic row follows a controversial maritime pact signed by the Ethiopian government and the break-away administration of Somaliland on the first week of January 2024.

The agreement granted Ethiopia control over 20 km of Somalia’s marine waters and allowed for the establishment of an Ethiopian military base, triggering a major dispute between the two countries.