Ethiopia’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Taye Atske, has dismissed Somalia’s allegations regarding an agreement with Somaliland as unfounded, framing them as attempts to divert attention from internal political issues. As Ethiopia seeks to secure military access to the Red Sea, concerns have emerged regarding external military support to Somalia, particularly from Egypt.
Ethiopia’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Taye Atske, has firmly rejected allegations from Somalia regarding an agreement between Ethiopia and Somaliland, labeling them as unfounded and rooted in misinformation. Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Atske criticized Somalia for engaging in what he described as an international onslaught against Ethiopia, characterizing this behavior as both unfair and inappropriate. He emphasized that Somalia’s accusations are attempts to deflect attention from its own internal political issues by inciting hostility toward his country. The minister explained that the agreement with Somaliland is aligned with existing political arrangements in Somalia and aims to foster shared growth and prosperity in the region, noting that similar agreements have been established by other nations. Furthermore, Atske addressed the planned agreement, asserting that it would provide Ethiopia with a 20-kilometer access route to the Red Sea for constructing a military base and port, and in return, it would recognize Somaliland’s sovereignty, much to Somalia’s disapproval. The situation is further complicated by Egypt’s recent military aid shipments to Somalia, which include heavy artillery and armored vehicles, raising concerns in both Ethiopia and Somaliland. Taye Atske urged Somalia to prioritize combating terrorism and to collaborate to eliminate terrorist threats that disrupt stability in the region. His comments were in response to accusations from Somalia’s Prime Minister, Hamza Abdi Barre, who claimed that Ethiopia’s actions are a serious threat to Somalia’s territorial integrity, deeming them both unlawful and unnecessary. In this context, Atske also called on external actors, including Egypt, to halt their reckless actions, urging the international community to recognize the imminent risks posed by such military support to Somalia.
The strained relationship between Ethiopia and Somalia has escalated recently due to an agreement between Ethiopia and Somaliland, which has raised serious political tensions. Somaliland, a self-declared independent state, is not recognized by Somalia. Ethiopia’s attempts to establish military access to the Red Sea through Somaliland has been viewed by Somalia as an infringement on its territorial integrity. Additionally, Egypt’s military aid to Somalia has added further complexity to the situation, stirring concerns of a potential conflict between Ethiopia and Somalia.
In conclusion, Ethiopia has strongly denied Somalia’s allegations regarding its agreement with Somaliland, condemning them as unfounded and an attempt to detract from Somalia’s internal challenges. Ethiopia’s Foreign Affairs Minister has called for a focus on combating terrorism rather than engaging in hostile accusations, while also addressing the broader geopolitical implications of external military involvement in Somalia.
Original Source: www.garoweonline.com
