FAKE!: U.S. Embassy in Somalia Dismisses Alleged Envoy’s Remarks as ‘False’
GOOBJOOG NEWS/MOGADISHU: The US Embassy in Mogadishu has dismissed as ‘fake’ reports that the US Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Mike Hammer hailed Somaliland’s President Muse Bihi for his ‘diplomatic strategies’ concerning the controversial MoU with Ethiopia.
The embassy said the alleged remarks contained in an article which appeared in a section of the Ethiopian press were ‘false’. The article claimed that Hammer praised Bihi for his efforts towards regional stability ‘through the recent MoU.’
The claims followed a visit to Ethiopia by Hammer last week where he met African Union, Ethiopian officials and the Interim Regional Administration of Tigray to discuss the implementation of the Pretoria Cessation of Hostilities Agreement.
The U.S., like many other international partners of Somalia, has denounced the controversial January 1 Memorandum of Understanding between Ethiopia and the break-away region of Somaliland and called on Ethiopia to respect Somalia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
Somalia has maintained a tough stance against the MoU and urged Ethiopia to withdraw it before any meaningful dialogue takes place.