China, Saudi Arabia backs Somalia in Maritime Dispute

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: China and Saudi Arabia have both expressed their support for Somalia’s quest to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity in its ongoing maritime tiff with Ethiopia.

Chinese Ambassador Fei Shengchao who met the Federal Republic of Somalia president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud at the Villa Somalia on Thursday expressed China’s support for Somalia’s independence, unity and territorial integrity.

The Ambassador further praised the Federal Government’s progress in maintaining security within the capital Mogadishu and in several other parts of the country through the ongoing offensive against the Al-shabaab militants, which he said has restored political and economic stability in Somalia.

At the same time, Saudi Arabia issued a statement stressing the need to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Somalia and to adhere to the principles of good neighborliness.

The statement also called for avoiding any actions that could escalate the tension and conflicts in the region but instead called on countries in the region to work towards peace and stability.

These came in the wake of the rising tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia, after the latter signed a controversial deal with Somaliland on 1 January 2024, which triggered protests in both Somalia and Somaliland.

The deal would grant Ethiopia a 20-kilometer lease of Somaliland’s coast for its naval base, in return for recognizing Somaliland’s independence.