IGAD Heads urge Ethiopia to respect Somalia's sovereignty, pushes peace efforts in Sudan

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development's (IGAD) Heads of State reiterated their unwavering commitment to respecting the Federal Republic of Somalia's sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity.

During the 42nd Extraordinary Assembly of the IGAD Heads of State in Uganda on Thursday, January 18, the presidents called for de-escalating tension between Ethiopia and Somalia.

"We are deeply concerned by the recent developments regarding the relationship between the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Federal Republic of Somalia, and we call upon Ethiopia and Somalia to de-escalate tensions and instead engage in a constructive dialogue," the statement read.

The session presided over by Ismail Omar Guelleh, President of Djibouti and Chairperson of the IGAD Heads of State and Government, met to discuss the evolving situation in the Republic of Sudan and the diplomatic dynamics between Ethiopia and Somalia.

The assembly attendees were President William Ruto of Kenya, Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia, Salva Kiir Mayardit of South Sudan, and Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of Uganda, who hosted the extraordinary meeting.

Others included Dr. Workneh Geneyehu, IGAD Executive Secretary, Musa Faki Mahamat, Head of the African Union Commission, and a host of other representatives from the United Nations, Saudi Arabia, UAE, European Union, United States, Arab League, and Turkiye.

They urged that “any engagement should uphold the above cardinal principals” and that “any agreement or arrangement should be with the consent of the Federal Government of Somalia.”

The agreement in question was signed on New Year's Day in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, by Ethiopian Prime Minister Aby Ahmed and Somaliland President Muse Bihi. Before the agreement, Prime Minister Aby was on record insisting that Ethiopia must get access to the sea.

The agreement gave Ethiopians a 50-year lease of a 20-kilometer coastline in Somaliland, and in return, Ethiopia promised to recognize the Somaliland administration and give it a stake in its state-owned Ethiopian airline fleets.

Somalia accused Ethiopia of violating its sovereignty, and Ethiopia's President Mohamud nullified the agreement on January 7 through a presidential decree.

Since then, relations between the two IGAD members have remained frosty, raising suspicions that the matter might get out of hand given their two hardline stands.

Somalia has since recalled its ambassador from Ethiopia and has so far barred two flights headed for Hargeisa, Somaliland, one of which was an Ethiopian airline said to have been carrying senior Ethiopian officials.

The IGAD Heads of State urged the countries to resolve their differences amicably as directed in their communiqué, which “called upon the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Federal Republic of Somalia to de-escalate tensions and instead engage in constructive dialogue.”

On the conflict in Sudan, the summit called upon the parties to the conflict “to commit to dialogue and negotiation" and “reiterated their call for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire as well as cessation of hostilities to end this unjust war affecting the people of Sudan and pave the way for a political dialogue."