President Mohamud Affirms Tough Stance Against Ethiopian MoU in Independence Fete Remarks

GOOBJOOG NEWS/MOGADISHU: President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Prime Minister Hamze Barre led the nation Tuesday night in ushering the independence celebrations.

Speaking at an event to mark the Independence Day on June 26, President Mohamud sent his congratulations to the Somali people both home and abroad and urged them to stand firmly in defence of the nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The President reiterated his government’s position on the MoU between Ethiopia and Somaliland noting there will be no compromise. He noted the agreement was fueling disunity among the Somali people.

“The issue we are against is not development and cooperation, it is about taking our land. We won’t allow a meter of our land to be taken,” the President said.

Somalia has maintained a tough stance against the January 1 MoU noting it will not negotiate with Ethiopia over it until it withdraws the deal.