Somalia gets major boost in rift with Ethiopia

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The Federal Republic of Somalia received a major boost from the Arab Economic and Cooperation Forum, with the organization strongly opposing Ethiopia's plans to annex parts of its territory in the view of establishing a military base.

The forum, which was held in Doha, Qatar, affirmed support on Somalia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty while insisting that the country's independence should not be infringed by neighboring states.

“They affirmed the right of the Federal Republic of Somalia to legitimately defend its lands by what was stipulated in Article (51) of the United Nations Charter, and the relevant articles of the Charter of the League of Arab States, and support the building of the institutions of the State of Somalia,” the declaration read.

Somalia’s new Foreign Affairs Ahmed Fiqi attended the meeting and maintained that Somalia will not let off any inch of its land, adding that Ethiopia should be called out for infringement of the country's sovereignty.

“The Ministers affirmed their solidarity and full support for the position of the Somali State with all its agencies, which considered the "Memorandum of Understanding" signed on January 1, 2024 between the Federal Republic of Ethiopia and the "Somaliland" region null, void and unacceptable, and constitute a flagrant violation of the principles of International Law, and the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia, good-neighborly relations, peaceful coexistence and stability in the region,” the declaration said.

“The Ministers expressed their rejection of this memorandum and any legal, political, commercial or military implications arising from it, and urged all countries to condemn and reject this memorandum. They also rejected attempts to benefit from the aforementioned "Memorandum of Understanding" to create a new geopolitical reality in the Gulf of Aden, off the Somali coast and the Red Sea, and considered it a threatening step to Arab national security and navigation in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The Ministers affirmed support to all peaceful efforts, including the initiative.”

Ethiopia intends to take 20 kilometers of Red Sea within Somalia to construct a military base and port, a move which has received international condemnation. In return, Ethiopia pledged to recognize the breakaway region of Somaliland as a sovereign state.

Already, Somalia has signed an agreement with Turkey intending to protect her coastline besides exploration of mineral resources along the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea. Turkey is set to deploy warships in the region to protect Somalia from any impending external aggression.

GAROWE ONLINE