Somalia Warns Ethiopia’s Aggression Threat to Security and Stability, Urges AU Stance

GOOBJOOG NEWS|ADDIS ABABA: Somalia has called on the African Union to voice its condemnation of Ethiopia’s ‘act of aggression’ following the signing of the controversial deal with Somaliland in January.

While addressing the AU Assembly this morning, Deputy Prime Minister Salah Jama said the African Union ought to make its stance on the MoU noting it was tantamount to not only violating Somalia’s sovereignty but also the founding principles and tenets of the continental body.

“Despite these gains, we are making on the security front and the development we are making, Somalia’s security and sovereignty has been infringed upon by Ethiopia’s signing of an MoU with a region of Somalia,” the PM said.

“We call upon this very esteemed assembly to join us in condemning the act of aggression which is at odds with and contrary to the basic and cardinal principles of this union that we are part of.”

The PM’s remarks follow the revelation on Saturday by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud that he was blocked by Ethiopia forces from attending the AU assembly meeting. He noted that te move was part of a wider plan by Ethiopia to annex part of Somalia.

Meanwhile, the Deputy PM said Somalia had made significant strides in implementing the Transition Plan which envisages the full withdrawal of African Union troops by the end of this year.

“We have completed the first and second phases of the withdrawal of ATMIS troops, which consists of 2,000 and 3,000 soldiers. On June 24, we expect another reduction, which will make the total to less than 9,500 soldiers,” the PM said.