Somalia’s Defence minister accuses Ethiopia of distabilising region

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Saturday August 31, 2024

Ministers of Defences Somalia and Egypt after signing the security cooperation agreement. Present are Somalia President Hassan Sheikh and his Egyptian counterpart Abdifatah Al-Sisi in Cairo

Somalia’s Minister of Defence Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur has termed Ethiopia’s comments over the deployment of Egyptian soldiers in the country as destabilizing to the region.

Abdulkadir was responding to comments from the Ethiopian government expressing concern that the transition from the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) to a new peace support mission is fraught with dangers for the region.

The minister asserted that the region has descended into chaos since Ethiopia attempted to ‘claim Somali territory’.

This was in reference to the controversial Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that Ethiopia signed with the breakaway Somaliland.

Somaliland broke away from Somalia more than 30 years ago, but Mogadishu regards it very much as part of its territory.

The Federal Government of Somalia termed the agreement illegal.

"Ethiopia should be told that the region fell into chaos the day they attempted to encroach on Somali territory, undermining our territorial, political, and national unity," Abdulkadir said.

He added, “Let no one cry. Everyone reaps the fruits of their labour."

The Defence minister’s remarks came after Ethiopia, in a statement, warned that it could not stand idle while other actors are taking measures to destabilize the region.

Somaliland broke away from Somalia more than 30 years ago, but Mogadishu regards it very much as part of its territory - and described the deal as an act of “aggression”.

The Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the country remained vigilant and was monitoring developments across the region that could threaten its national security.

The statement followed Egypt’s delivery of its first military aid to Somalia in more than four decades on Tuesday.

The move is seen as the beginning of the implementation of the defence cooperation and partnership agreement signed weeks ago when President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud met with his Egyptian counterpart, Abdelfatah Al-Sisi, in Cairo.

At that time, both leaders stated that Somalia and Egypt share a long-standing friendship and brotherhood, which they now seek to strengthen further.

Senior Somalia officials, including Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Bare, indicated that the country plans to expel thousands of Ethiopian troops stationed in the country to assist with security by the end of the year unless Addis Ababa cancels the disputed port deal with Somaliland.

On New Year’s Day, Ethiopian PM Abiy signed a controversial deal with the self-declared republic of Somaliland to lease a 20km (12-mile) section of its coastline for 50 years to set up a naval base.

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