Somalia Expels Ethiopian Diplomat Amidst Rising Tensions

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Somalia declared an Ethiopian envoy 'persona non grata' and ordered him to immediately leave the country within the next three days, failure to which, he would be deported for being hostile to the authority in the Horn of Africa nation.

Ali Mohamed Adan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, was engaged in activities 'inconsistent with his diplomatic roles'. He has been serving as consular II in the Ethiopian embassy in Somalia but Mogadishu says he is no longer welcome due to his misconduct.

“Mr. Adan’s actions constitute a breach of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, specifically Articles 41 and 42,” the statement read.

The articles referenced by the ministry require foreign diplomats to “respect the laws of the host nation and abstain from involvement in its internal affairs.” His removal from the country comes at the times tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia are rising rapidly.

Mr. Adan, the Ministry said, has been given a 72-hour notice to depart Somalia, adding that this step reflects Somalia’s “commitment to upholding international diplomatic standards” and protecting its national sovereignty.

This decision, the Ministry noted, reaffirms Somalia’s stance on maintaining “integrity in diplomatic engagements” amid ongoing regional diplomatic dynamics. The ministry did not provide specific details about the alleged violations that led to the expulsion order, Addis Standard reports.

The January 2024 agreement between Somaliland and Ethiopia has triggered animosity between Mogadishu and Addis Ababa. Ethiopia wants 20 kilometers of access to the Red Sea in exchange for recognition of Somaliland as a sovereign state, a move opposed by Somalia.

This was not the first time Somalia is expelled Ethiopian envoy over the controversial agreement. In April this year, the Ministry issued a similar statement confirming Ethiopia’s Ambassador Muktar Mohamed Ware “has been informed to depart from Somalia within the next 72 hours.”

The Ministry also said at the time that its Ambassador to Addis Abeba is “summoned back to Mogadishu for comprehensive consultations.”

Somalia also wants Ethiopia to withdraw all her troops ahead of the transition from the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) to the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) early next year.

The country’s military bilateral agreement with Egypt and Egypt’s subsequent deployment of military personnel and equipment to Mogadishu, which prompted Ethiopia to describe the transition from ATMIS as “fraught with dangers” for the region, have further complicated matters.

Somalia also held a tripartite summit in early October in Asmara with Egypt and Eritrea, where they agreed on measures to enhance Somalia’s “capacity to protect its land and sea borders.” Ethiopia is a major security and development partner of Somalia despite the current standoff.

GAROWE ONLINE