Ethiopia Sends Diplomat Who Backed Somaliland Secession as Ambassador to Somalia  

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Suleiman Dedefo, a man known to support the breakaway region of Somaliland, has been deployed to Somalia as the new ambassador, following his reception by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in the presidential palace.

On several occasions, Suleiman has been quoted on social media dismissing Somali nationalism while calling for the recognition of Somaliland, a region fighting for international recognition at the United Nations Security Council for the past three decades.

According to the statement posted on X, Dedefo said his meeting with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud revolved around “strengthening diplomatic ties, boosting economic relations, and enhancing security cooperation.” This public declaration contrasts starkly with his previous disparaging remarks against the Somali federal authorities.

Earlier last year, Dedefo referred to the Somali government as “air pirates” and an “irresponsible group” amid a tense airspace dispute between Mogadishu and Somaliland. The dispute nearly led to a mid-air collision involving Ethiopian and Qatari national carriers.

For the better part of 2024, Somalia accused Ethiopia of undermining its territorial integrity and sovereignty, leading to a diplomatic tiff that has since been solved by Turkey after several months of mediation.

Ethiopia expressed intentions to recognise Somaliland in exchange for 20 kilometres of access to the Red Sea for the construction of an army base and port. This decision triggered retaliation from Mogadishu, which withdrew its envoy from Addis Ababa pending negotiations.

It is not clear if the new Ethiopian ambassador to the country was vetted, given his controversial past. Ethiopia is, however, a major security and development partner of the Horn of Africa nation, having contributed close to 4,000 troops to the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).

GAROWE ONLINE