Addis Ababa, 3 January 2024: The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E Moussa Faki Mahamat, has expressed his concern over the tension arising from the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Ethiopia and the self-declared region of Somaliland, which is internationally recognized as part of Somalia.
The Chairperson appealed for calm and mutual respect to ease the friction between the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Federal Republic of Somalia. He called on the two countries to avoid any action that could harm the good relations between the two neighbouring Eastern African countries.
He emphasized the need to respect the unity, territorial integrity and full sovereignty of all African Union member states, including Somalia and Ethiopia.
He also highlighted the importance of following the principles of good neighbourliness to foster and maintain peace, security and stability in the Horn of Africa region.
He urged the two brotherly countries to engage in a dialogue process without delay to resolve their differences in a constructive, peaceful and cooperative manner, to strengthen and deepen their partnership for the sake of peace and security in the region.
He reaffirmed that the African Union would stand firmly by their side to support an African solution to this new African challenge.
