IGAD under pressure to withdraw "bias" statement over Ethiopia-Somalia dispute

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The Inter-Governmental Authority for Development (IGAD) is under pressure to withdraw a statement issued by the Executive Secretary following an agreement between Ethiopia and Somaliland which has caused jitters in the Horn of Africa.

Ethiopia signed a clandestine agreement with Somaliland, a secessionist state of Somalia, which would see it get 20 kilometers of Red Sea for its Naval Base and, in return, recognize Somaliland as a sovereign state.

But Somalia, which has termed the agreement null and void, condemned a statement issued by IGAD Executive Secretary Workneh Gebeyehu, terming it "biased" while calling for immediate "withdrawal" and subsequent apology from the regional body.

"The statement falls short of condemning Ethiopian government for violating territorial integrity and sovereignty contrary to fundamental principles of UN, IGAD, AU and other international laws," Somalia lamented.

"The Federal Government of Somalia disagrees with the content of the statement issued by IGAD and considers it to be in favour of the Ethiopian government. Somalia calls upon the Executive Secretary to apologize, withdraw, and take appropriate action."

In the statement, IGAD said it was "diligently monitoring the situation and recognizes the potential implications for regional stability" but failed to take sides over the debacle, which could potentially break the Horn of Africa region.

"Given the circumstances, the Executive Secretary urges IGAD leaders to be seized and appeals to the two sisterly countries to collaborate towards a peaceful and amicable resolution of the situation, upholding the shared values that unite the IGAD family," read the statement.

"IGAD remains steadfast in its commitment to promoting peace, stability, cooperation, and regional integration," the widely criticized statement from Workneh Gebeyehu further read.

Somaliland has been fighting for independence after seceding from Somalia three decades ago following a civil war in Somalia. However, despite the region having its own legislature, executive, judiciary, and central bank, it still belongs to larger Somalia based on international boundaries and treaties.

GAROWE ONLINE