Somalia: President Hassan Sheikh speaks on rising tensions with Ethiopia
The President of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to safeguarding Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in the face of what he called an increasing aggression from Ethiopia.
President Hassan highlighted the perceived threats from both Ethiopia and Al-Shabaab, emphasizing the nation’s readiness to counter both challenges. Expressing concern over Ethiopia’s actions, President Hassan Sheikh urged the Somali people to unite in the face of these perceived threats.
He underscored that Somalia would respond assertively to any actions taken by Ethiopia and asserted the nation’s right to make decisions in its best interest.
The President’s call for unity comes in the aftermath of a disclosed agreement between Somaliland and Ethiopia, a deal that Somalia vehemently rejected.
While Somaliland and Ethiopia defended the agreement, calling on the international community to respect it, tensions escalated, prompting the IGAD member states to schedule an extraordinary meeting to address the regional situation.
Somalia had promised to defend its territory by “any legal means” and recalled its ambassador to Ethiopia in response to the deal.
The East African country said it was appealing to the UN, the African Union, the Arab League, and a regional East African bloc, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), “to stand with the right for Somalia to defend its sovereignty and force Ethiopia to adhere to international laws”.
