President Mohamud Heads to Addis Ababa for AU Summit
GOOBJOOG NEWS | KISIMAYO: Federal Republic of Somalia president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud will lead a delegation of Somali officials to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to attend three conferences; the 37th African Union (AU) Summit, IGAD, and the East Africa Community leaders meeting.
The president stated that the Federal Government stands committed to defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia.
“We will travel to Addis not only for the summits but also to convey our message that no one should attempt to undermine Somalia’s sovereignty over land or sea,” the president said while addressing journalists in Kisimayo Thursday.
Over the recent weeks, President Mohamud has reiterated that Somalia will not engage in mediation talks with Ethiopia until Addis Ababa retracts from the illegal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) it signed with the breakaway region of Somaliland on January 1st.
The MoU, which allows Ethiopia access to the Red Sea port of Berbera, has raised significant concerns regarding regional stability and security.
Somalia has vehemently opposed this agreement, declaring it null and void, and has recalled its ambassador to Ethiopia.
War on Al-shabaab
The president also said that the federal government has achieved a major milestone in the fight against Al-Shabab and liberated several key areas in the southern part of the country, which were previously under the militants’ control.
He however said the recent El-Nino rains had slowed down the government’s momentum in the war against Al-shabaab but maintained that the offensive will continue until all parts of the country gets liberated.
He also said that the Federal Government will collaborate with the Jubbaland State administration to assist people in recovering from the recent floods and complete the operations.