During the UN General Assembly, Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre accused Ethiopia of violating Somalia’s territorial integrity by planning to lease a stretch of coastline from Somaliland. Ethiopia’s Foreign Minister refuted these claims, arguing that they reflect Somalia’s internal political strife. Tensions are rising as Somalia threatens to expel Ethiopian troops and has allied with Egypt in military cooperation.
At the recent United Nations General Assembly, Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre strongly condemned Ethiopia for actions considered to undermine the sovereignty of Somalia. His remarks came after Ethiopia unexpectedly announced its intentions to lease a segment of coastline from the self-declared independent region of Somaliland, a move that has escalated tensions between the two nations. Somaliland, which has sought independence since 1991, has not garnered significant international recognition, complicating Somalia’s stance on its territorial claims. According to Prime Minister Barre, Ethiopia’s plans pose a serious threat to Somalia’s territorial integrity and represent unlawful attempts to annex Somali land under the pretense of enhancing its access to the sea. In his assertions, Barre emphasized the necessity of defending Somalia’s sovereignty against such perceived encroachments, stating, “Ethiopia’s attempt to annex part of Somalia under the guise of securing sea access is both unlawful and unnecessary.” In response, Ethiopian Foreign Minister Taye Atske Selassie dismissed Barre’s accusations, suggesting that Somalia’s outrage was an overreaction fueled by internal political challenges. “Similar agreements have been concluded by other states, and there is no reason for the government of Somalia to incite hostility that obviously intends to cover internal political tensions,” he declared. Amid these developments, Somalia has threatened to expel Ethiopian forces currently present in Somalia as part of an African Union operation against the militant group, Al-Shabaab. In a strategic move, Somalia has recently aligned closer with Egypt, signing a military agreement that has raised concerns in Addis Ababa regarding the potential for arms to reach extremist factions. The situation is further intensified by the forthcoming restructuring of the African Union mission, which may lead to Egypt replacing Ethiopia’s forces. Additionally, Somalia may insist on the withdrawal of approximately 10,000 Ethiopian troops stationed at the border to thwart Islamist incursions.
The historical context of the Somalia-Ethiopia relationship is crucial for understanding the current tensions. After Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991, Somalia has maintained a firm stance against recognizing this declaration. Ethiopia, being a landlocked nation, has been pursuing various strategies to access the sea, including the establishment of a naval base on Somali territory, raising concerns about potential territorial encroachments. Given the significant presence of Ethiopian troops in Somalia since 2007 as part of an African Union mission targeting Al-Shabaab militants, the recent shifts in military cooperation with Egypt indicate a potential realignment of power dynamics in the region.
The recent remarks made by Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre highlight the escalating tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia over territorial issues involving Somaliland. While Somalia categorically refuses to recognize Somaliland’s independence and decries Ethiopia’s actions as unlawful, Ethiopia maintains that its agreements are analogous to similar accords with other nations. The impending changes to the African Union mission and Somalia’s military cooperation with Egypt signify a potential shift in regional dynamics, which could further complicate the fragile relationship between Somalia and Ethiopia.
Original Source: www.bssnews.net
