Somalia threatens action if Ethiopia-Somaliland port deal goes through
Hassan has said he would only agree to discuss the matter with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed when the government in Addis Ababa renounces its intention "to take part of our country".
Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has threatened action if Ethiopia goes ahead with a deal to set up a naval base in the breakaway region of Somaliland and possibly recognise the territory as an independent state.
"If Ethiopia insists, Somalia will resist and will refuse... if they come into the country, Somalia will do everything that it can to defend itself," the Somali leader told Reuters in an interview in Mogadishu published on Saturday.
More To Read
- Somalia’s NCC meeting opens without Puntland, Jubbaland as reforms top agenda
- Regional leaders order joint plan to eliminate Al-Shabaab, back stronger AUSSOM presence
- AU mission vows to intensify security in Somalia
- Somalia approves visa-free entry deal with Egypt for diplomatic passport holders
- Kenya, international partners support Somalia's pursuit of national dialogue
- Opinion: Why downplaying Al-Shabaab’s growing influence in Somalia is dangerous
On Jan 1, landlocked Ethiopia signed a memorandum of understanding to lease 20 km (12 miles) of coastline in Somaliland, a territory that Somalia claims ownership of despite its effective autonomy since 1991.
The port deal led to massive discontent with the Somalian government.
The Somalia leader on January 6, signed a new law nullifying the pact between Addis Ababa and Hargeisa.
Hassan has said he would only agree to discuss the matter with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed when the government in Addis Ababa renounces its intention "to take part of our country".
Tensions escalated between the two countries a week ago during the African Union summit following allegations by Somalia's President that Ethiopian security forces tried to bar him from attending the leader's forum in Addis Ababa.
The African Union has since called for dialogue to de-escalate the issue.
Some African and western countries have shown solidarity with Somalia reaffirming support for its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Hassan met with the EU ambassador to Somalia on Saturday, to discuss security, development, and Somalia's ongoing democratisation process.
During the meeting in Mogadishu, the envoy reiterated the EU's profound respect for Somalia's sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity.
Other Topics To Read
- Headlines
- Regional
- Somalia
- Ethiopia
- President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud
- Ethiopia-Somaliland deal
- Ethiopia-Somalia tensions
- ethiopia somalia conflict
- Ethiopia-Somalia dispute
- ethiopia somaliland MoU
- somaliland port deal
- Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed
- Somalia threatens action if Ethiopia-Somaliland port deal goes through
- News
Top Stories Today
- President Ruto in trouble with US Senators over China remarks
- Smart tips for navigating Eastleigh’s BBS Mall, region’s largest shopping centre
- Samsung dominates Kenya’s smartphone market as Tecno slips
- Global internal displacement reaches record 83.4 million by end of 2024
- Petition seeks DCJ Mwilu’s ouster over judges' appointment in Gachagua case
- Over 100,000 small businesses to benefit from Sh28bn grant
- AU aims for 60 per cent local vaccine production by 2040
- World Bank: Africa risks missing growth dream over conflict, weak reforms
- Budget cuts jeopardise education as key programmes struggle
- Taita Taveta launches policy to attract investors, boost local economy
- How Sixth Street has transformed to become Eastleigh's leading vegetable market
- Tanzania nullifies Chadema appointments over quorum breach
- TSC budget shortfall leaves 20,000 intern teachers in limbo
- Victims of human-wildlife conflict urged to claim compensation
- Eastleigh hawkers count losses as rains disrupt business for third day
- Lobby groups urge activation of victim protection fund to protect children
- Deputy Governors seek constitutional changes to have clear mandates
- Funding shortfall leaves Somali women, children facing death
- City Hall to freeze accounts, auction properties over Sh50bn arrears
- Sh40.7bn budget shortfall threatens military recruitment, operations
