Protesting Ethiopia’s Breach of Somali Sovereignty through Unlawful MOU Signed with Northern Somalia Leader and Call for Immediate Action from the Security Council
Your Excellency,
I am holding this briefing to convey my country’s deep concern and strong objection to the recent actions of the Federal Government of Ethiopia.
1. The Federal Government of Somalia is deeply concerned about the recent actions of the Federal Government of Ethiopia, which constitute a direct encroachment upon Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
2. On January 1, 2024, the Ethiopian Prime Minister, Mr. Abiy Ahmed, and the Leader of the Northern regions of Somalia (Somaliland), Mr. Musa Bihi, entered into a Memorandum of Understanding that unilaterally grants Ethiopia access to 20 KM of the Somali coastline on the Red Sea. This agreement was made without the consent or endorsement of the Federal Government of Somalia and effectively violates the country’s constitution and established international laws and norms.
3. Ethiopia’s unilateral actions undermine the principles of state sovereignty and territorial integrity, which are fundamental pillars of the United Nations Charter and the established norms of international relations.
Disregarding these principles adversely impacts regional stability and establishes a troubling precedent for international relations.
4. The Ethiopian Prime Minister’s recent actions sabotage Somalia’s ongoing campaign to dismantle and defeat Al-Shabaab, a terrorist group that emerged following Ethiopia’s previous military incursion into Somalia between 2006 and 2007. These actions are likely to serve as propaganda for the group to destabilize the region, providing them with material to bolster their recruitment narrative.
5. The imperative for stability in the region is paramount; it is the cornerstone for enhancing the quality of life for all our citizens. We must nurture a conducive environment that allows the historical discord between Somalia and Ethiopia to give way to a new era of cooperation, aimed at nurturing the prosperity of our burgeoning youth.
6. We call on the Ethiopian Prime Minister to rescind the January 1, 2024, unlawful agreement he made with a regional authority within the sovereign state of Somalia.
7. Given the gravity of the situation and its serious implications for regional and international peace and
security, we urge the international partners, through its esteemed platforms, to inform your esteemed leaders and request a swift condemnation of Ethiopia’s flagrant violations and ensure their immediate compliance with international law, thereby respecting the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia.
8. The decision of any foreign government to engage with regional authorities must respect the sovereign authority of the recognized national government. As such, all international agreements about Somalia Republic territory must be negotiated with the Federal Government, honoring the nation’s unity and legal framework.
9. The preservation of international law and the sovereignty of nations is paramount for fostering a tranquil and stable international community. We trust that the international community you represent will take decisive action to address this matter and uphold these fundamental values.
I thank you for your attendance and attentions.
If you have any questions, you may ask.
