by BRIAN ORUTA
Thursday September 19, 2024
• The Somalia president has already reached out to international organisations including the European Union, the African Union, United States, China and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.
• He has also reached out to regional bodies including the East African Community, which Somalia and Ethiopia both belong to, as well as the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).
Ethiopia Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.
Image: HANDOUT
The Federal Government of Somalia is now banking on diplomatic ties to end the maritime dispute with neighbouring Ethiopia.
This comes even as President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud steps up engagements with regional allies to help settle the matter.
His administration has successfully rallied support from various international organisations and countries, emphasising the need for a peaceful resolution to the matter.
The Somalia president has already reached out to international organisations including the European Union, the African Union, the United States, China and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.
He has also reached out to regional bodies including the East African Community, as well as the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).
In a meeting with IGAD Executive Secretary Workneh Gebeyehu on Monday, the authority assured Mohamud of its support as it walks towards achieving sustainable peace and prosperity.
“Somalia is a critical partner in our shared mission to promote peace, stability, and development in the Horn of Africa. We stand with Somalia as it navigates its path towards sustainable peace and prosperity, and we will continue to support the government’s efforts to build a resilient nation,” Gebeyehu said.
“Our commitment to fostering peaceful relations in the region requires a unified stance in supporting Somalia’s territorial integrity.”
President Mohamud reaffirmed Somalia’s commitment to strengthening ties with IGAD to effectively advance regional peace and security while addressing critical challenges such as climate resilience, food security, and economic development.
Earlier this year, affirmed its position on the feud, insisting that Somaliland is the territory of Somalia.
“China respects Somalia's sovereignty and supports its rights in managing its maritime resources. We believe in collaborative development that benefits all,” The Chinese foreign ministry said.
In January, the OIC said, “Following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding for Partnership and Cooperation between the Federal Republic of Ethiopia and Somaliland on 1 January 2024, the General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) expressed rejection of any act violating the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia.”
The African Union, European Union and United States also called for respect to the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia pursuant to its constitution, the Charters of the African Union and the United Nations.
They insisted that this is key for the peace and stability of the entire Horn of Africa region.
Tension has recently risen between Somalia and Ethiopia over the deployment of Egyptian soldiers into Somalia to support its security forces following the withdrawal of ATMIS.
Ethiopia protested the move saying it will not sit back as their neighbours prepare for war.
The dispute started after Ethiopia signed a 50-year port deal with Somaliland, a breakaway region that Somalia insists is its territory.