IIhan Omar: As long as I am in Congress, no one else will take the Somali Sea

Minnesota's Ilhan Omar in 2018 became one of the first two Muslim women elected to the US Congress [File: Nicholas Pfosi/Reuters]

WASHINGTON - Congresswoman Ilhan Omar has defended the state of Somalia following the 'onslaught' by Ethiopia, which signed an 'illegal' agreement with Somaliland, a breakaway region of Somalia fighting for international recognition.

Somaliland and Ethiopia signed the deal which if implemented, would see Ethiopia getting 20 kilometers of the Red Sea in exchange for recognition of Somaliland as a sovereign state. The deal has triggered criticism in the Horn of Africa for the last month.

And IIhan Omar, the Minnesota 5th District Representative, insists Somalia’s sovereignty is nonnegotiable, adding that Ethiopia will not be allowed to abuse regional stability by undermining the Federal Republic of Somalia.

Speaking passionately at an event in Minneapolis, United States, Omar affirmed her commitment to safeguarding Somali waters from external encroachment. Ethiopia wants to build a military base and port within the Red Sea.

“As long as I am in Congress, no one else will take the Somali Sea,” with her resolute stance reflecting the deep-rooted concern within the Somali diaspora community regarding the territorial integrity of Somalia’s maritime boundaries.

In her speech, the Somali-American lawmaker underscored the United States’ stance on respecting Somalia’s sovereignty. She also emphasized that the US government does not endorse any foreign incursion into Somali territory. She hailed President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud for defending the country from 'external aggression'.

She also applauded his efforts in uniting the Somali people and reaffirmed the collective resolve to preserve Somalia’s territorial integrity amidst external pressures. Ethiopia insists it is not after grabbing land, maintaining that it is only interested in leasing it from Somaliland.

The congresswoman’s remarks come amid heightened tensions following an agreement between Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi, which the Somali government has denounced as a “violation of Somalia’s sovereignty.”

“Somalia is Somali, Somalia is one, we are brothers, our land will not be divided," she added, just weeks after the government of the United States expressed concerns over the agreement while calling for an amicable settlement between the two countries.

GAROWE ONLINE