Ethiopia accused of undermining Somalia’s international relations

ADDIS ABABA - Ethiopia has been accused of undermining Somalia’s international relations, in the latest scathing attack launched by Mogadishu, which has been on a diplomatic offensive against Addis Ababa for the last seven months.

Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, Somalia’s foreign affairs boss, said Ethiopia is unwilling to dialogue over the maritime dispute which was occasioned by the agreement signed with the breakaway region of Somaliland, a state in Somalia.

The minister said Ethiopia has accused Somalia of failing to negotiate over the maritime row. Still, in the real sense, Addis Ababa is the one that has delayed negotiations over the maritime dispute. Ethiopia wants 20 kilometers of the Red Sea.

"Ethiopia wants Somalia to be seen as the aggressor and unwilling to negotiate so that these countries, acting as mediators, withdraw their support for Somalia," Fiqi said.

Should the deal with Somaliland go through, Ethiopia is plotting to build a military base and port, and in return, recognize the breakaway region as a sovereign state. Somaliland has been fighting for sovereignty for the last three decades.

Fiqi dismissed reports that a passport issued by Somaliland could be used to travel to other countries, except for Ethiopia, calling these claims baseless. The region, Somalia maintains, remains part of its territory, accusing Ethiopia of an annexation plot.

Representatives from both countries met in Ankara, Turkey where the matter was partly discussed. With no conclusion reached, representatives agreed to meet again in September to discuss the stalemate.

GAROWE ONLINE