AU Commission Chairperson calls for caution following rising between tension between Ethiopia and Somalia

The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, has called for calm and mutual respect while calling for de-escalation of the rising tension between the governments of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Federal Republic of Somalia.

Tension is rising between Somalia and its breakaway Somaliland region after it signed a contested pact with Ethiopia.

The pact would provide landlocked Ethiopia, which depends primarily on neighbouring Djibouti for its marine trade, a 50-year lease for its navy, and commercial uses of the port of Berbera, which is located on the Gulf of Aden with access to the Red Sea, covering 20 kilometres.

In return, Somaliland’s leader declared that Ethiopia would be the first country to acknowledge Somaliland as an independent nation.

Reacting to the growing situation in the region, the AU Commission Chairperson, in a statement, urges the two countries to refrain from any action that unintentionally may lead to a deterioration of the good relations between the two neighbouring Eastern African countries.

The statement reads, “The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union, H.E Moussa Faki Mahamat, has been closely following the tension resulting from signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between Ethiopia and the region of Somalia (Somaliland) .

“The Chairperson calls for calm and mutual respect to de-escalate the simmering tension between the Governments of Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Federal Republic of Somalia. In this regard He urges the two countries to refrain from any action that unintentionally may lead to a deterioration of the good relations between the two neighbouring Eastern African countries.

“He stresses the imperative to respect unity, territorial integrity and full sovereignty of all African Union member states including Federal Republic of Somalia and Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia .

“Furthermore, the Chairperson underscores the importance of adhering to the norms of good neighbourliness to promote and consolidate peace, security and stability in the Horn of Africa region.

“He urges the two brother countries to engage without delay in a négociation process to settle their differences in the most constructive, peaceful and collaborative manner to consolidate and deepen their cooperation to serve peace and security in the region.

“He reaffirms that African Union will stand strongly in their side to encourage an African solution to this African new tension.”