(19-01-24) MOGADISHU (Halqabsi News) — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has refused to enter talks with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, insisting on the withdrawal of Ethiopia from its agreement with Somaliland.
According to sources from Somalia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ethiopian Prime Minister had sought a meeting with President Hassan Sheikh to address the escalating tensions between the two nations. However, the Somali President has set a firm precondition for any discussions: the revocation of Ethiopia’s controversial deal with Somaliland.
This agreement, seen as a contentious move by Somalia, has significantly strained the bilateral relations between the two countries, evident from Ethiopia’s decision to abstain from participating in the recent IGAD summit in Kampala.
The international community has voiced concerns over the agreement, adding pressure on the Ethiopian government to reconsider its stance. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who is currently at an international conference in Kampala, is grappling with this diplomatic impasse. President Hassan Sheikh, on the other hand, remains steadfast in his demand for Ethiopia to disengage from its agreement with Somaliland, maintaining that this is a non-negotiable condition for any potential dialogue.
Halqabsi News