Ethiopia – Somalia diplomatic Conflict Escalates

The African Union has called for peace and calm in the East African region amid souring tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia after the latter signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a breakaway region of Somaliland on New Year’s Day recognizing its independence.
The MoU also gave Ethiopia its, long-desired access to the Red Sea through Somaliland.
Following this development, Somalia has vowed to defend its territory saying the Monday’s agreement, was an “aggression” and a “blatant assault” on its sovereignty by neighboring Ethiopia.
AU Commission chair Moussa Faki Mahamat issued a statement appealing for “calm and mutual respect to de-escalate the simmering tension” between Ethiopia and Somalia.
He called on the two nations to engage in a negotiation process “without delay” to settle their differences.
Faki also urged them to “refrain from any action that may unintentionally lead to a deterioration of the good relations between the two neighboring Eastern African countries”.
“He stresses the imperative to respect unity, territorial integrity and full sovereignty of all African Union member states,” the statement said.
The United States of America has also called for refrain and dialogue in the ongoing conflict.
Somaliland, is a former British protectorate of about 4.5 million people, and it declared its independence from Somalia in 1991, a move that has not been recognized by international community and staunchly opposed by Mogadishu.
By Desmond Nleya, Daily News Reporter
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