Somalia has taken a bold step by expelling the Ethiopian ambassador, accusing Ethiopia of overtly meddling in its domestic matters. This development is part of ongoing tensions surrounding a maritime agreement that Ethiopia entered into with Somaliland in January, which has heightened regional discord in the Horn of Africa.
The Somali government declared that it had directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ask the Ethiopian ambassador to leave Somalia and return to his homeland for discussions. Concurrently, Somalia announced the closure of Ethiopian consular offices in the breakaway Somaliland region and the semi-autonomous Puntland area, mandating the exit of Ethiopian diplomatic personnel and employees within a fortnight.
The official statement from the Somali cabinet accused Ethiopia of blatant interference in Somalia’s sovereign affairs.
This diplomatic rift was preceded by an official trip to Ethiopia by Puntland’s finance minister, Mohammed Farah Mohammed, who was received by Ethiopia’s state minister of foreign affairs, Mesganu Arga. Puntland has been at odds with the Somali federal government and recently declared it would stop acknowledging federal institutions following parliamentary changes to the national constitution.
The relationship between Somalia and Ethiopia has been strained following Ethiopia’s agreement with Somaliland, which granted Ethiopia access to the sea. According to the agreement, Somaliland will lease a portion of its coastline to Ethiopia for five decades, allowing Ethiopia to establish a naval base and a commercial port there.
Although Somaliland claims Ethiopia will recognize its independence in exchange, Ethiopia has not officially confirmed such a recognition.
Somalia’s state minister for foreign affairs, Ali Omar, emphasized Somalia’s commitment to its sovereignty, stating the government’s demand for the Ethiopian ambassador’s departure and the cessation of Ethiopian consular operations in Hargeisa and Garowe.
The U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Molly Phee, urged both nations to amicably settle their differences, offering American assistance to facilitate better communication between the two. She highlighted the region’s need for stability, given its vulnerability to conflict.
