Somalia president Hassan Sheikh: It is Ethiopia seeking reconciliation

MOGADISHU, Somalia - President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has dismissed claims that Somalia is making shuttle diplomatic missions across the world over its territorial integrity and sovereignty, maintaining that Ethiopia has been urging reconciliation.

The two countries have been at loggerheads over the deal signed earlier this year between Somaliland and Ethiopia, making Somalia contest by seeking international support. Somaliland is part of Somalia.

While addressing parliamentarians on Saturday, Hassan Sheikh maintained Ethiopia has been pushing for reconciliation, leading to the most recent meeting in Turkey where delegations from the two countries joined.

"We're not the ones going around the countries, it's Ethiopia, seeking reconciliation with us," he said, while scolding off Ethiopia for its expansionist ideals which have triggered differences in the Horn of Africa.

Ethiopia is seeking 20 kilometers of the Red Sea and has already signed an agreement with Somaliland, a move which irked Somalia. In return, Ethiopia would recognize Somaliland as a sovereign state.

Further, Hassan Sheikh denied claims that the country is in talks with Al-Shabaab. "We aren't right now in negotiation with Al-Shabaab," Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh tells parliament during his today's opening remarks.

Last month, the president publicly said while in Oslo, Norway, past approaches to Al-Shabaab had not worked, and his government was open to alternatives including talks when appropriate.

Sheikh Mohamud also pointed out that Somalia is open to peaceful relations with neighboring countries while reaffirming the commitment to protect the nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

He told the bicameral Federal Parliament that stabilization programs have been launched in liberated areas to enhance the delivery of basic public services. The United Nations has also pledged to help the country stabilize in regions that were liberated.

GAROWE ONLINE