Mogadishu appreciates the G7's commitment to promoting peace, security and stability in the region
April 20 (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Government of Somalia ruled out this Friday the possibility of dialogue with Ethiopia until Addis Ababa revokes the agreement with Somaliland, respecting the territorial integrity of the country.
“Dialogue with Ethiopia remains unattainable until it revokes the illegal memorandum of understanding with the northern region of Somalia (Somaliland) and demonstrates full respect for the unity, sovereignty and principle of non-interference of Somalia,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. Somali Foreign Affairs in a statement.
In the same note, the Somali authorities have expressed their commitment to maintaining peace and security in the region and, to this end, have promised to intensify the fight against the terrorist group Al Shabaab and improve its institutional framework.
In this regard, Foreign Affairs has defended that “the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) is vital for national stability” and has guaranteed that Mogadishu “is actively collaborating with the African Union and international partners to plan and execute this transition effectively, while continuing to develop its security capabilities with the support of the international community.
Somalia also thanked “the commitment of the G7 to promote peace, security and stability in the region”, recognizing the group's efforts “to address food insecurity, poverty, armed conflict, extreme weather conditions and displacement”.
“We value the ongoing humanitarian aid. Somalia is determined to maintain peace and security in the region and wishes with the G7 and other international partners to ensure lasting peace and prosperity in the Horn of Africa,” the note adds.
The Somali Government, which does not recognize the self-proclaimed independence of Somaliland – declared in 1991 and which no country in the world accepts -, flatly rejects the agreement between Ethiopia and Somaliland, has assured through its president, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, that “every centimeter of the country” will be protected.
The agreement allows Ethiopia to obtain naval and commercial access “on loan” for a period of 50 years in exchange for Addis Ababa recognizing the independence of Somaliland, which would also obtain part of the profits from the operation of Ethiopian Airlines, the Ethiopian flag carrier. .
Ethiopia lost direct access to the sea in 1993, when Eritrea gained independence after three decades of conflict. Its main trade route now runs along roads and a railway linking Addis Ababa to a port in Djibouti, one of five coastal neighbors that include Somalia, Eritrea, Sudan and Kenya.
