Mogadishu (SONNA) – In a fiery speech to the Parliament, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud denounced Ethiopia’s recent agreement with Somaliland, which he said violated Somalia’s sovereignty and international law. He urged the Somali people to stand together against foreign interference and defend their national unity.
The president said that Ethiopia’s deal with Somaliland, which aims to establish a port in the Somali waters, was “illegal and unenforceable”. He said that Somalia and Ethiopia had been neighbors for centuries, but their relationship had been marred by conflict and destruction.
“After the 3rd Republic, we chose the path of peace and harmony with our neighbors. We did not seek to divide the Ethiopian people, but sadly, what we see from Ethiopia today is not what we expected,” he said.
The president also warned that Ethiopia’s action could fuel radicalism and extremism in the society, and that the Khawarij, could exploit the situation. He called on the Somali people to unite in the defense of their territorial integrity and national sovereignty.
The president’s speech came hours after Somalia recalled its ambassador from Ethiopia, Abdullahi Mohamed Warfaa, who is expected to return to Mogadishu today. The move followed Somalia’s accusation that Ethiopia had violated its sovereignty and threatened the stability of the Horn of Africa region.
