Somalia's president To Attend AU Summit In Addis Ababa amid tension with Ethiopia

MOGADISHU, Somalia - President Hassan Sheikh will be traveling to Ethiopia for the 37th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Heads of State and Government of the African Union on Feb. 17-18, he confirmed on Thursday, even as tension between Mogadishu and Addis Ababa escalated to new levels, in what could potentially affect regional integration.

For two months, Somalia and Ethiopia have been at loggerheads over a deal signed in January, which if implemented, would see the country lose 20 kilometers of Red Sea to the neighboring Horn of Africa state, which intends to build a military base and port.

Somaliland, the breakaway region of Somalia, signed the deal with Ethiopia on the pretext that Addis Ababa would recognize it as a sovereign state, triggering outrage from Mogadishu. The conflict has attracted global powerhouses who have called for 'order'.

While addressing the media on Thursday, Hassan Sheikh said he will be traveling to Ethiopia, where he will be attending the AU Summit. At the sidelines, he added, he will be holding talks with the Inter-Governmental Authority for Development (IGAD) and the East Africa Community.

“We are going to attend those meetings and present our message that Somalia is an independent country with a government that cannot be interfered with,” he said, arguing that he will protect the country's territorial integrity and sovereignty.

In his previous outings, Hassan Sheikh has maintained that 'we will not talk to Ethiopia until they withdraw the controversial agreement'. He accused Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of 'attempting to grab our land' while insisting that Somalis should be ready for 'war to defend their land'.

His trip coincides with that of Molly Phee, the Assistant Secretary of State in charge of African Affairs, who is in Ethiopia. Molly had previously stated support of Somalia. Ethiopia maintains the deal is for commercial interests, adding that it is least interested in grabbing of land.

Global leadership has maintained that there is a need for the region to embrace stability. Ethiopia is a major security stakeholder in Somalia having invested in the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) where over 3,000 of Ethiopia National Defence Forces (ENDF) are serving in the country.

GAROWE ONLINE