Kenyan MPs go ballistic on Ethiopia over row with Somalia

NAIROBI, Kenya - Several Kenyan lawmakers from the Northeastern region have rebuked Ethiopia for "violation of international laws" following the signing of an illegal agreement with Somaliland, which has caused outrage in Somalia.

Ethiopia signed an agreement with the breakaway region of Somaliland on Monday, leading to widespread criticisms from several countries and entities, including the United States and the African Union, who are major security shareholders in the country.

And on Thursday, legislators from Kenya joined the rest of the world in standing with Somalia, calling for immediate revocation of the deal while calling for support from the international community.

Dadaab MP Farah Maalim, a supporter of Somalia nationalism, led MPs in condemning the Ethiopian government, noting that if not reversed, the agreement would cause acrimony in the Horn of Africa.

“We call on the African Union, IGAD, and the United Nations to urgently institute measures for cessation of hostilities by calling for an urgent end to this blatant provocation by the Federal Republic of Ethiopia and immediate cancellation of “Memorandum of Understanding of partnerships,” Maalim stated.

The establishment of bilateral links between Ethiopia and Somaliland, they said, was in total contravention of international treaties, noting that there is a need for the matter to be handed cautiously to avoid future fallout within the region.

“Ethiopia has no diplomatic wiggle-room as regards lease of land or access to sea port/front within Somalia territory and that only the State of Somalia has the state instruments to grant or otherwise under international Law,” the Dadaab MP noted.

Adan Keynan, the Eldas MP, mentioned that the Horn of Africa has been struggling to maintain peace given the historical spillover of chaos, conflict, and insecurity in the region with displaced people scampering for shelter in the country.

“So our appeal is, Mr. President, wherever you are, just like you’re engaged in the Sudan affair call IGAD for an urgent meeting. Let this issue be discussed and Ethiopia be forced to rescind this otherwise this is going to create chaos in the region,” said Keynan.

Somalia has rejected the deal, subsequently, recalling her ambassador to Mogadishu. The governor of Somalia has also asked the international community to chip in and help in the restoration of law and order.

GAROWE ONLINE