Ethiopia not seeking war with Somalia - PM Abiy Ahmed

Addis Ababa has no intention of causing harm to Somalia and is only seeking to secure sea access via a possible deal with Somaliland, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed stressed on Tuesday.

In response to questions from parliamentarians on his country's January 1 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Somaliland, the Prime Minister noted that his country is a second home to Somalis and that the two nations have a bond fortified by blood ties.

“The people of Ethiopia and Somalia are bound by blood. Many Ethiopians have died for the peace of Somalia and no country has paid as much as Ethiopia for the peace of Somalia,” he said.

Abiy was referring to the thousands of Ethiopian soldiers who have lost their lives fighting the terror group Al-Shabaab, highlighting Ethiopia’s sacrifices for regional peace.

He added that the “peace of Somalia is the peace of Ethiopia".

“Ethiopia, being a friend, does not wish any harm to come upon Somalia and is only interested in getting sea access based on mutual benefit,” the PM told parliamentarians in a televised address.

“Ethiopia does not acknowledge war against any country in principle. However, some forces are trying to incite the conflict between the two nations, which should not happen.”

Abiy further noted that Ethiopia’s diplomacy is centered around its national interests.

'A matter of sovereignty'

The MoU over which Somalia and Ethiopia are feuding says that landlocked Ethiopia could lease a 20-kilometre marine base from Somaliland for military and commercial use in exchange for recognition and a stake in the national Ethiopian Airways. Somaliland is a breakaway region of Somalia that claims it is independent but is not recognised as such.

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud says Ethiopia, in seeking the deal, is violating its sovereignty.

Thus far, both PM Abiy and President Hassan have refused to stand down, despite calls by several regional bodies, but they say they want a peaceful solution.

To quell the tensions between these countries, regional leaders discussed their case at the 42nd Extraordinary Session of the IGAD Assembly of Heads of State and Government and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit, both which took place in Kampala, Uganda, in January.

President Hassan noted that his country has always championed territorial integrity, sovereignty, and non-interference as enshrined in the NAM Charter.

He described the MoU as "a clear violation of Somalia's sovereignty and a breach of international laws and morals" and said his country was ready for mutual and beneficial commercial and trade agreements, in line with regional and international mechanisms such as the Horn of Africa Initiative and the IGAD Red Sea Strategy.

This, he noted, offers genuine partnerships, such as those seen between landlocked Uganda and Kenya.

Prime Minister Abiy skipped the summit. His message on Tuesday echoed what his National Security Advisor Redwan Hussien said earlier in January.

Redwan said that Ethiopia, in seeking the maritime deal with Somaliland, is not attempting annexation or aiming to violate any country's sovereignty.

He explained that "the signed MoU is a deal for cooperation and partnership that grants Ethiopia access to the Red Sea on business terms". He also highlighted "Ethiopia’s commitment to peace and security in Somalia," saying "it has been demonstrated through the blood and sweat of its precious sons and daughters".