Somalia Declares Ethiopia Naval Base Deal ‘Illegal’ Recalls Ambassador to Addis

GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU: Somalia has declared as ‘illegal and a violation of its territorial integrity’ the agreement reached on Monday by Ethiopia and the breakaway region of Somaliland, which sought to grant Addis Ababa a 50-year leasehold to construct a military base in the coastal port city of Berbera.

During an emergency meeting that concluded shortly, Prime Minister Hamze Barre declared unequivocally that ‘no one will violate Somalia’s territorial integrity’ on land, air, and sea and vowed to defend the country’s independence and integrity.

The Cabinet also recalled the country’s ambassador to Ethiopia for consultation. The meeting followed an announcement in Addis Ababa on Monday that Somaliland had granted Ethiopia 20 kilometres of territory within the Red Sea coast to operate a military base. The landlocked nation would also have access to ports, the deal which has sharply rejected read in part.

Leaders across the political divide and Somalis at large have condemned the deal and called on the Federal Government to act swiftly and protect the territorial integrity of the country.

Meanwhile, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is set to address a joint session of the Federal Parliament this afternoon.