Somalia president Hassan Sheikh in Qatar hours after leaving Egypt

DOHA - President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud traveled to Qatar on Monday after a two-day state visit to Egypt, in what appears to be shuttle diplomacy following Ethiopia's expansionist ambitions, which would significantly affect Somalia.

Ethiopia signed an illegal MoU with the breakaway region of Somaliland which would see the country getting 20 kilometers of the Red Sea in exchange for Somaliland's recognition as a sovereign state. If the deal goes through, Ethiopia will have the land for 50 years.

After getting assurances from Egyptian President Abdulfattah El-Sisi on the protection of Somalia's borders, Hassan Sheikh, who has already gotten support from the African Union, the US, the Arab League, and many other countries, seems to be targeting Qatar, another influential power within the Middle East.

"President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has arrived in Doha, Qatar for a significant official working visit aimed at further enhancing bilateral relations between Somalia and the brotherly State of Qatar across various mutually beneficial areas," state media reports.

"During this visit, the president will engage in discussions with the Qatari leadership regarding recent developments in Somalia," added the statement.

Egypt warned Ethiopia against violating the territorial integrity of Somalia, adding that it won't hesitate to take action should Ethiopia persist. Somaliland has responded to Egypt's intervention, noting that Cairo was interfering with her domestic affairs.

"As a sovereign nation, the Republic of Somaliland respects all diplomatic engagements within the established international framework. We encourage all interested parties to focus on promoting regional stability and constructive partnerships," the northern state of Somalia noted.

"In this spirit, we encourage Egypt to redirect its diplomatic efforts to address ongoing conflicts with its immediate neighbors such as Sudan, Libya, and Gaza. These areas are currently grappling with significant challenges, and we believe Egypt’s constructive engagement could substantially contribute to lasting peace and security."

The conflict could escalate further should the international community fail to get immediate solutions, analysts argue. President Hassan Sheikh has warned that he will not hesitate to take action should Ethiopia fail to rescind the MoU, which has been condemned by several international partners.

GAROWE ONLINE