Somali PM: We Face a Serious Threat Due to Ethiopia’s Actions

Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre accused Ethiopia on Friday of engaging in actions that “blatantly violate” Somalia’s sovereignty. This followed Addis Ababa’s sudden announcement of its intention to lease a coastal strip in the breakaway Somaliland region, according to AFP.

The region has been on alert since Ethiopia declared in January its plans to build a naval base and a commercial port in the area. Ethiopia, a landlocked country, has long sought access to the sea. However, Somalia, which does not recognize Somaliland’s self-declared independence in 1991, is angered by the move.

At the UN General Assembly, Barre stated: “Somalia is currently facing a serious threat due to Ethiopia’s recent actions that blatantly violate our territorial integrity.”

He added, “Ethiopia’s attempt to annex part of Somalia under the pretext of securing sea access is illegal and unnecessary.”

Ethiopian Foreign Minister Taye Atske Selassie dismissed the Somali PM’s criticism, responding at the UN that “similar agreements have been made with other countries, and there is no reason for Somalia to provoke hostility clearly aimed at covering up internal political tensions.”

Somalia has threatened to expel Ethiopian forces deployed under the African Union Mission since 2007 to combat Al-Shabaab militants. In a move that has further alarmed Ethiopia, Mogadishu signed a military agreement with Egypt, receiving arms shipments, which Addis Ababa fears could fall into Al-Shabaab’s hands.

The African Union mission is set to be renewed by year-end, and Egypt has offered, for the first time, to send troops to replace the Ethiopian forces.