Friday August 23, 2024
Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre speaks during a town hall meeting on August 22, 2024, where he reaffirmed Somalia's commitment to protecting its sovereignty amidst tensions with Ethiopia. Credit: OPM
Mogadishu (HOL) — Somalia's Prime Minister, Hamza Abdi Barre, has declared that Ethiopian forces will be excluded from the upcoming African Union Support Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) unless Ethiopia withdraws from a controversial Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with Somaliland earlier this year.
The MoU, which grants Ethiopia access to 20 kilometres of the Red Sea coastline in exchange for the potential recognition of Somaliland's independence, has been condemned by Somalia as a violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
"If Ethiopia does not withdraw from its MOU agreement with Somaliland, its forces will not be part of the upcoming operation. If they remain, it will not be under the African Union mandate," Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre told a town hall on Thursday.
Ethiopia's ongoing military presence in Somalia, particularly following the expiration of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) mandate, has heightened tensions between the two nations. Legal experts have warned that Ethiopia's actions could breach international law.
The Somali government has responded decisively, expelling Ethiopia's ambassador, Muqtar Mohamed, and demanding the closure of Ethiopian consulates in Somaliland and Puntland.
Ethiopian troops have made several unauthorized incursions into Somalia's Hiiraan region in recent months, further straining relations. These incursions, which were not coordinated with Somali authorities, have raised alarms among local populations and officials, who view them as part of Ethiopia's strategy to maintain influence in Somalia despite the impending ATMIS withdrawal.
Prime Minister Hamza added that the Somali government has diplomatically outmaneuvered Ethiopia regarding its intentions to implement the agreement with Somaliland.
"Ethiopia is now in a precarious position regarding the MOU agreement. When we rejected it, they turned to Kenya, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and eventually to our Turkish brothers. We accepted these agreements on the condition that if someone attempts to impose something on us, we will resist. You are all aware that Somalis across the country, from Berbera to Hargeisa, Burao, and Borama, rejected the agreement. This (MOU) is not something Somalis anywhere can accept," said the Prime Minister.
Efforts to resolve the conflict have so far been unsuccessful. Turkey, acting as a mediator, facilitated two rounds of negotiations this summer, but both ended without a resolution. The core issue remains Ethiopia's refusal to annul the MoU with Somaliland. A third round of talks is scheduled for September in Turkey.
As a result of these tensions, Somalia has delayed the next phase of the ATMIS troop withdrawal, initially scheduled for July to September. The Somali government cited security concerns related to Ethiopia's actions as the main reason for the postponement.
The international community, including the United Nations, the African Union and the Arab League, has expressed support for Somalia's sovereignty and called for a peaceful resolution to the dispute. Meanwhile, Somalia is coordinating with its allies, including Egypt and Djibouti, to ensure that the new peacekeeping mission, AUSSOM, effectively supports the nation's security needs without Ethiopian involvement.
Prime Minister Hamza reiterated Somalia's stance, stressing that sovereignty is non-negotiable and that any agreements or actions undermining it will be firmly opposed. "Somalia will protect its territorial integrity and sovereignty through all diplomatic and legal means available," he declared.