Ethiopian embassy in Somalia to be relocated from presidential palace

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The Ethiopian embassy in Somalia is set to be relocated from the heavily fortified presidential palace, a top state official said, just as the relationship between the two countries nosedived following the controversial agreement involving Addis Ababa and Somaliland.

The embassy is currently situated within the presidential palace in Mogadishu but Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, the minister for Foreign Affairs, says it shall be relocated to its previous site, away from the palace.

According to him, the decision comes in response to significant public outcry over the embassy's presence in such a sensitive location. Most Somalis accuse Ethiopia of planned annexation of its territories.

"The Ethiopian embassy does not occupy its designated land; its presence within the presidential palace is untenable. We are committed to ensuring that it promptly relocates to its previously designated site, which is now vacant,” Somalia’s Foreign Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi said in an interview with state TV.

"The Somali people’s reaction to the location of the Ethiopian embassy is justified. We will take swift action to ensure that it relocates to a new site outside the presidential palace shortly,” he added.

The remarks reflect Fiqi's previous assertion that Ethiopia constructed the embassy following the 2006 'invasion' in Somalia under the pretext of flushing out the al-Shabaab militants. Ethiopia was the first country to invade Somalia following al-Shabaab dominance.

Ethiopia is at loggerheads with Somalia over the illegal MoU, which Mogadishu wants withdrawn. But Ethiopia maintains its quest to access the sea through Somaliland is unstoppable, adding that they shall do it in line with existing internal law.

The agreement, whose details remain closely guarded secret, once implemented, could see Ethiopia recognize Somaliland as a sovereign state contrary to the international laws. Somaliland is fighting for recognition after seceding from Somalia over three decades ago.

GAROWE ONLINE