African Union Welcomes Ethiopian-Somali Agreement on Somaliland Dispute

ADDIS ABABA, Xinhua: African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat on Thursday welcomed the recent agreement signed between Ethiopian and Somali leaders over the dispute concerning Somaliland, a self-declared region of Somalia.

Ethiopia and Somalia reached an agreement on Wednesday after Turkish-mediated negotiations in Ankara, marking a breakthrough in resolving misunderstandings between the two nations. Tensions had been escalating between Ethiopia and Somalia after Ethiopia and Somaliland signed an agreement earlier this year allowing Ethiopia access to the Red Sea in exchange for its recognition of Somaliland as an independent state. Somalia, which considers Somaliland part of its territory, described the agreement as having no legal force.

“The chairperson welcomes the communique signed by Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Dec. 11 in Ankara, under the auspices of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan,” the AU said in a statement issued on Thursday.

The AU chief praised “this important act of high responsibility on the part of the leaders of Somalia and Ethiopia.” Faki encouraged them to implement the agreed-upon measures without delay.

Following the agreement, Abiy and Mohamud issued a joint statement emphasizing cooperation and dialogue between the two countries. Both leaders reaffirmed their respect and commitment to one another’s sovereignty, unity, independence, and territorial integrity and agreed to work together to finalize arrangements which will allow Ethiopia to enjoy access to and from the sea.