Mogadishu calls for AU to re-evaluate location of its headquarters from Addis Ababa

Somalia has called for the relocation of the African Union Headquarters from Ethiopia following heightened tensions between Mogadishu and Addis Ababa at the ongoing AU Summit.

Somalia's Foreign Ministry condemned Ethiopia's "provocative attempt" to block the Somali President's delegation from attending the 2024 AU summit in a statement released on Saturday.

"The action breaches all diplomatic and international protocols and, most critically, the established traditions of the African Union." the statement read

Mogadishu asserted that since Ethiopia hosts the African Union headquarters, its leadership and government are obligated to treat all African leaders equally.

The statement added; "Hosting the AU is both an honour and a privilege for Ethiopia; however, if its government fails to uphold this honour and responsibility with the necessary decorum, it may be necessary for the African Union to reevaluate the location of its headquarters."

In a press conference upon his departure from Addis Ababa, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud strongly condemned the Ethiopian government under PM Abiy Ahmed for blatantly infringing on Somalia's sovereignty and aggressively seeking to annex its territory.

The President… pic.twitter.com/iFTeQrjUSL

— Villa Somalia (@TheVillaSomalia) February 17, 2024

"Declined security"

But Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's spokesperson Billene Seyoum told AFP Ethiopia warmly welcomed President Hassan Sheikh MohamudMohamud and accorded him the full honours of visiting heads of state and governments to the summit.

She, however, said the problem started when the Somali delegation declined the security offered by Ethiopia and tried to enter a venue with their weapons.

"As the host country, the government of Ethiopia is responsible for the security of all heads of state and government while in the country. The Somali delegation security attempted to enter the AUC premises with weapons, which was blocked off by security," Billene said.

The AU headquarters, which is located in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa, has been hosting the organisation since 1963.

The tensions between the two Horn of Africa states have been escalating since Addis Ababa struck a port deal with Somaliland on January 1.

The Somalia President shortened his trip to Addis Ababa on Saturday, citing "provocative" actions by Ethiopian security officials.

He aimed to mobilise his African counterparts to condemn Ethiopia for attempting to "annex" Somalia's territory.