African Union Praises Ethiopian-Somalia Accord on Somaliland Dispute

The African Union approved an agreement between Ethiopia and Somalia addressing the Somaliland dispute. The deal, facilitated by Turkey, signifies a commitment to resolve tensions that arose after Ethiopia’s controversial arrangement with Somaliland. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud pledged to respect each other’s sovereignty and work towards Ethiopia’s access to the sea, which underscores the importance of cooperation in the region.

The African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat, expressed his approval on Thursday regarding a recent agreement reached between Ethiopia and Somalia concerning the contentious issue of Somaliland, a region within Somalia. The agreement, facilitated through negotiations in Ankara, Turkey, was finalized on December 11, 2023, signifying a conciliatory effort to ameliorate rising tensions between the two nations arising from earlier disputes about territorial claims and rights to access the Red Sea.

This agreement emerged after Ethiopia and Somaliland had previously entered into a controversial arrangement, purportedly granting Ethiopia access to the Red Sea in exchange for recognizing Somaliland’s independence. Somalia disavowed this agreement, declaring it legally invalid. Following this backdrop, the AU Chairperson highlighted the significance of the newly established accord, underscoring the need for both nations to swiftly execute the agreed-upon measures in a statement reflecting the AU’s commitment to stability in the region.

In their joint statement, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud emphasized the importance of cooperation and constructive dialogue to ensure mutual respect for each other’s sovereignty, integrity, and independence. They jointly committed to working collaboratively to finalize the logistics for Ethiopia’s access to maritime routes, thereby promoting peaceful relations going forward.

The dispute over Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but remains unrecognized by most nations, has long been a point of contention between Somalia and its regional neighbors, including Ethiopia. The conflict intensified following Ethiopia’s formal agreement with Somaliland earlier this year, leading to heightened tensions with Somalia, which contested the validity of that agreement. The AU has consistently pushed for diplomatic resolutions to such disputes within the region, highlighting the necessity of maintaining peace and stability in Eastern Africa. The recent agreement is viewed as a positive step toward reducing hostilities and fostering collaboration between Ethiopia and Somalia.

In conclusion, the recent Ethiopian-Somalia agreement, welcomed by African Union Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat, marks a significant step toward resolving longstanding tensions regarding Somaliland. The accord emphasizes mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, as articulated by both leaders. This development not only aims to ease regional tensions but also to secure Ethiopia’s access to maritime routes, reinforcing the importance of diplomatic engagement and collaboration in the Horn of Africa.

Original Source: english.news.cn