By Manal Abdel Fattah
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia affirmed its extreme concern for the unity of the sisterly Federal Republic of Somalia and its sovereignty over its entire territory.
In this regard, she stressed the need to adhere to the principles of good neighbourliness, give priority to wisdom, spare the region from increasing tension and conflicts, and work on everything that would preserve the security and stability of the region, in a way that contributes to enhancing cooperation and integration between the countries of the region.
The Somali Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ali Omar, said that the agreement between the government of Ethiopia and the region of Somaliland (Somaliland), which is not internationally recognized, threatens the independence and sovereignty of the State of Somalia.
The agreement signed between Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Somaliland leader Musa Bihi Abdi stipulates: By granting Ethiopia a 20-kilometre-long outlet on the Red Sea, which includes the port of Berbera and a military base, for a period of 50 years in exchange for its official recognition of Somaliland as an independent republic.
He pointed out during an interview with Al Jazeera News Network, on Thursday evening, that the agreement reflects the dissipation of Somalia’s efforts in combating the terrorist Al-Shabaab militia, which is ideologically affiliated with Al-Qaeda, especially in the wake of the state’s liberation of large parts of the southern territories.
He warned of the repercussions of the Ethiopian agreement, saying: “We know that the world is preoccupied with the war on the Gaza Strip, but the result resulting from this signing; It will be worse and more difficult,” stressing the State of Somalia’s categorical rejection of the Ethiopian memorandum of understanding with Somaliland.
He added that Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed is trying to divert attention from the internal conflicts in the Tigray and Amhara regions and other regions with the agreement concluded with Somaliland. In order to create a narrative that would lead to the unification of the Ethiopian people after it obtained a sea port overlooking the Red Sea.
He denied Abiy Ahmed’s allegations of obtaining the port of Berbera as a means of commercial use in light of his establishment of a military base, saying: “Ethiopia could bring its population onto this new acquired land. It is not a commercial endeavor as much as it is an attempt to divide Somalia and threaten its sovereignty.”
Somaliland is located north of Somalia, bordered by Ethiopia to the west and Djibouti to the northwest. It declared its independence from Somalia in 1991, where it has an elected government and its own currency, but it has not received recognition from the international community.
