Ethiopia must withdraw controversial agreement, Somalia insists

ARUSHA, Tanzania - The Federal Republic of Somalia maintains that it can only negotiate with Ethiopia after the withdrawal of the controversial agreement with Somaliland, arguing that its territorial integrity and sovereignty ought to be respected.

Kenya and Uganda have offered to mediate the conflict between Ethiopia and Somalia, but Mogadishu maintains it will not participate until the official withdrawal of the agreement is done. The two countries have been at loggerheads since January 2024.

Ilyas Ali Hassan, Somalia’s ambassador to Tanzania, said there will be no progress on the matter until the agreement is quashed. He insisted that foreign countries should embrace the sovereignty of other countries without undermining them.

“Unless the January 1, 2024, Memorandum of Understanding is declared null and void, and Somalia’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity are respected, progress will remain unattainable,” Ali Hassan said in a statement.

After becoming the chairman of the East Africa Community (EAC), Kenya's President William Ruto announced plans to establish mediation channels where Uganda is also set to play a major role.

Ambassador Ilyas stated that Somalia supports efforts to promote peace and stability in the Horn of Africa but reiterated that previous attempts to resolve the issue have “failed due to Ethiopia’s lack of good faith.”

Somalia remains committed to peaceful dialogue, grounded in respect for its sovereignty and regional stability. supports efforts to promote peace and stability in the Horn of Africa but reiterates that previous attempts to resolve the issue have “failed due to Ethiopia’s lack of good faith.”

"Somalia remains committed to peaceful dialogue, grounded in respect for its sovereignty and regional stability," the statement added as reported by the state media moments after the EAC summit.

GAROWE ONLINE