Somalia

Somalia declares Ethiopian diplomat persona non grata, orders him to leave country in 72 hours

Ali Mohamed Adan, Counselor II at Ethiopia's Embassy in Mogadishu. (Handout)

By Abdirahman Khalif | Tuesday, October 29, 2024

The Ministry stated that Ali's actions had violated the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, specifically Articles 41 and 42, which outline diplomats' obligations to respect the laws of the host nation and refrain from interference in its internal matters.

The government of Somalia has announced that Ali Mohamed Adan, Counselor II at Ethiopia's Embassy in Mogadishu, has been declared persona non grata. This decision, announced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, requires Ali to leave Somalia within 72 hours.

The Ministry stated that Ali's actions had violated the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, specifically Articles 41 and 42, which outline diplomats' obligations to respect the laws of the host nation and refrain from interference in its internal matters.

Keep reading

The statement from Somalia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasised that this decision was made in response to actions that Somalia views as incompatible with diplomatic responsibilities.

The Ministry noted that taking such a step was essential to protect Somalia's national interests and uphold international diplomatic standards.

"This action reaffirms Somalia's dedication to maintaining international diplomatic protocols and upholding its national sovereignty," the statement said.

The Vienna Convention, established in 1961, serves as the foundation for diplomatic conduct between nations. Under its provisions, diplomats are required to avoid any involvement in the internal affairs of their host countries.

By declaring Ali persona non grata, Somalia asserts its position on maintaining the integrity of this international agreement, aiming to ensure that diplomatic personnel act within the bounds of their official roles.

The relationship between the two countries deteriorated in January when Ethiopia leased a 20-kilometre stretch of coastline from Somaliland in exchange for recognising its independence, an agreement Mogadishu deemed illegal.

The disputed agreement led to the expulsion of the Ethiopian ambassador from Somalia and threats from Mogadishu to remove Ethiopian troops assisting in the fight against Al-Shabaab.

Reader comments

Follow Us and Stay Connected!

We'd love for you to join our community and stay updated with our latest stories and updates. Follow us on our social media channels and be part of the conversation!

TikTok

YouTube

X (Twitter)

Facebook

Let's stay connected and keep the dialogue going!