(17-02-24) ADDIS ABABA (Halqabsi News) — At the 37th African Union Summit, on Saturday, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud called on member states to address the contentious Memorandum of Understanding signed between Ethiopia and Somaliland, which undermines Somalia’s territorial integrity. The summit became the stage for President Mohamud’s appeal for unity against actions threatening the continent’s peace and security.
In his address, President Mohamud highlighted the MoU, signed on 1 January, as a direct challenge to Somalia, alleging it alters the nation’s borders by leasing 20 kilometres of sea to Ethiopia in exchange for recognition. This agreement between Ethiopia and Somaliland, a self-declared independent region of Somalia, has ignited diplomatic tensions, with Ethiopia previously denying any intention to annex Somali territory.
“The signing of the MoU with Somaliland threatens the annexation of part of Somalia,” President Mohamud told attendees, urging the African Union to adopt a clear position on the issue. This call to action underscores the escalating concerns over the implications of such agreements on the stability and sovereignty of African nations.
Both Ethiopia and Somaliland have defended the MoU, asserting it as a strategic partnership that does not intend to compromise Somalia’s sovereignty. However, the Somali president’s plea at the AU Summit reflects the deep-seated anxieties over regional security and the potential for increased fragmentation within the continent.
Halqabsi News
