MOGADISHU, Somalia – Somalia has once again rejected the idea of engaging in talks with Ethiopia unless the controversial Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Red Sea access in exchange for recognition with Somaliland, a breakaway region, is rescinded and its sovereignty and territorial integrity are fully upheld.
This came just hours after Kenyan President William Ruto said his country and Uganda are planning to lead mediation talks between Somalia and Ethiopia to ease tensions in the Horn of Africa, while speaking at the East African Community (EAC) Summit in Arusha, Tanzania.
Somalia’s ambassador to Tanzania, Ilyas Ali Hassan, said that his country will not engage in talks unless Ethiopia revokes its MoU with Somaliland and respects Somalia’s sovereignty. He also welcomed Uganda and Kenya’s efforts to promote peace and stability in the region.
“Somalia welcomes the regional leaders’ efforts to maintain peace, security, and stability in the Horn of Africa,” he said. “However, its position remains unchanged: unless the January 1, 2024, MoU is declared null and void and Somalia’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity are fully respected.”
In a brief post on his social media platforms, Ambassador Hassan said all attempts to settle the ongoing tensions in the region have become futile due to Ethiopia’s unfaithfulness.
Ethiopia’s bid to get access to a 20km stretch of Red Sea coastline in return for offering Somaliland recognition has been a point of tension. Somalia says the MoU goes against its sovereignty as it sees Somaliland as part of Somalia.
In response to the deal, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud flew to Cairo, signed a military pact with his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah Al Sisi, and invited his country to join the new African Union mission in Somalia, a move that angered Ethiopia, which sees Egypt as a regional rival due to their ongoing dispute over the Nile waters.
President Al Sisi accepted the invitation and, by late August, sent a ship with weapons, armored vehicles, and other supplies to Mogadishu. Egypt plans to send at least 10,000 troops to replace Ethiopian peacekeepers in Somalia.
Ethiopia, for its part, has denied any connection to Somalia’s claims and rejected the accusations surrounding the MoU. While Somalia accuses Ethiopia of trying to annex its territory, Ethiopia firmly denies this, leaving the dispute unresolved.
