World superpowers back Somalia in row with Ethiopia

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Somalia is enjoying unprecedented support from major world superpowers as the conflict with Ethiopia takes shape, but moderation has been echoed as the best strategy to resolve the conflict involving both teams.

For a while, Ethiopia has been accused of infringement on Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, after signing an illegal deal with Somaliland, a breakaway region of the Horn of Africa nation.

The agreement proposes the ceding of 20 kilometers of the Red Sea to Ethiopia for the establishment of a military base and port, an idea which has faced international condemnation. In return, the deal suggests, Ethiopia will recognize Somaliland as a sovereign state.

But at the United Nations Security Council meeting on Monday, the US, China, and the UK were among the countries in the UN Security Council that reiterated their support for Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“We remain deeply concerned about the potentially destabilizing implications of the MOU concluded between Ethiopia and Somaliland without the consent of the federal government of Somalia,” the diplomat representative of the US Robert A. Wood said.

“The US joins the AU and other international partners in reiterating our support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia and urging diplomatic dialogue to de-escalate tensions. This issue mustn't distract from critical state-building challenges that remain in Somalia.”

The UK deputy representative James Kariuki also took a similar line. He, however, urged both parties to embrace dialogue, noting the importance of peace and stability in the Horn of Africa region.

“As we have said previously, the UK reaffirms its support for Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” he said.

However, the UN representative to Somalia Catriona Laing told the UNSC members that it’s “disappointing that no significant progress was made at the recent Africa Union summit” regarding the tension between Somalia and Ethiopia. She said the recent MoU generated strong hostile public reactions in Somalia.

“We recognize that the strong feelings in Somalia are putting pressure on the Government to respond, and we encourage the President to remain measured in his response,” she said.

“This situation must be resolved through constructive dialogue. In that regard, it is disappointing that no significant progress was made at the recent Africa Union summit," Laing said in her speech.

Last week, Somalia demanded that the United Nations Security Council and the African Union give their formal position on the emerging conflict between Mogadishu and Addis Ababa. Ethiopia maintains that the deal 'does not violate anyone’s border and is for commercial purposes'.

GAROWE ONLINE