Saturday April 20, 2024
Mogadishu (HOL) — The Somali government has welcomed the Communiqué released by the G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Italy, which expresses concerns regarding the Ethiopia-Somaliland Memorandum of Understanding signed in Addis Ababa in January 2024.
The communiqué encourages both Ethiopia and the Federal Government of Somalia to maintain open dialogue channels to prevent further escalation, urging them to work with regional partners in the framework of the African Union and through bilateral contacts, in accordance with international law and the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity enshrined in the UN Charter.
During the G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Capri, Italy, held from April 16 to 19, ministers also reaffirmed their strong commitment to promoting peace, security, and stability in the Horn of Africa," the communiqué emphasized.
In a statement, the Somali government emphasized its dedication to upholding peace and security in the region and expressed eagerness to enhance collaboration with the G7 and other international partners to ensure enduring peace and prosperity in the Horn of Africa.
However, it reiterated that dialogue with Ethiopia will only be attainable once Ethiopia revokes the illegal memorandum of understanding with the northern region of Somalia (Somaliland) and demonstrates full respect for Somalia's unity, sovereignty, and principle of non-interference.
Earlier this month, Somalia expelled Ethiopia's ambassador amid rising tensions over a port deal dispute in the breakaway region of Somaliland.
The dispute arose after landlocked Ethiopia agreed on a memorandum of understanding on January 1 to lease 20km (12 miles) of coastline in Somaliland. Under the deal, the coastland around the port of Berbera, on the Gulf of Aden, will be used by Ethiopia for 50 years for military and commercial purposes.