Somalia says it remains neutral as tensions rise between Ethiopia and Eritrea

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia's federal government says it remains neutral in the escalating tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea and has no change in its relations with either country, amid growing concerns that renewed hostilities could trigger a wider conflict in the Horn of Africa.

Hassan Mohamed Ali Nadaara, Somalia's deputy foreign minister, told the BBC that Mogadishu's position was based on peace, neutrality and maintaining relations with countries across the region, which share political, economic and security interests with Somalia.

He said Somalia did not want to become involved in regional disputes but was closely monitoring developments and working to prevent existing conflicts from spreading.

"Somalia is neutral on this matter," Nadaara said, adding that relations between Mogadishu and the countries involved remained unchanged.

The remarks come after Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud attended a four-way summit in Egypt on Oct. 4 with the leaders of Egypt, Eritrea and Sudan, as tensions between those countries and Ethiopia have intensified.

The meeting, held in the Egyptian coastal city of Alamein, produced a joint statement emphasizing the sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries in the region. The statement also said responsibility for managing the Red Sea rests with countries bordering its shores.

The leaders also addressed disputes over the Nile River, backing positions opposing unilateral actions that could harm the interests of Egypt and Sudan. Both countries have long been at odds with Ethiopia over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, which Addis Ababa has built on the Blue Nile.

The summit raised questions about Somalia's neutrality because several of the issues discussed involve longstanding disputes between Ethiopia and the other participating countries.

Nadaara rejected suggestions that Somalia had aligned itself with Egypt and Eritrea, saying the government had the right to maintain diplomatic relations and reach agreements with different countries without taking sides in their disputes.

He also said relations between Somalia and Ethiopia remained stable, with Ethiopian troops continuing to participate in the African Union's security mission in Somalia and cooperate with federal authorities.

His comments came amid reports in Somali media suggesting that Ethiopia could withdraw troops from Somalia following renewed fighting in its northern regions. Nadaara said Mogadishu had received no official notification confirming plans for an Ethiopian withdrawal.

He acknowledged, however, that further escalation in Ethiopia could affect Somalia's economy, security and cross-border movement, given the countries' shared border and close economic and security ties.

Tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea have increased in recent days, with Addis Ababa accusing Asmara of sending troops into Ethiopia's Tigray region and supporting armed groups opposing the federal government. Ethiopia has said it has the right to defend itself against threats to its territory.

Eritrea has denied the allegations and accused Ethiopia of seeking a pretext for military action. Both countries have raised their concerns with the United Nations Security Council.

The latest developments have renewed fears that fighting in northern Ethiopia could expand into a direct confrontation between the two neighboring countries, potentially undermining the 2022 Pretoria peace agreement that ended a two-year war in Tigray.

The United Nations and the African Union have urged restraint and called for disputes to be resolved through dialogue.

A broader conflict could have significant consequences for the Horn of Africa, a strategically important region where overlapping security disputes, trade interests and competition over access to the Red Sea have strained relations among neighboring states.

GAROWE ONLINE