Abu Dhabi, January 31, 2024 – Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud attended a safety convention within the United Arab Emirates on Sunday, the place he referred to as for extra worldwide assist to battle terrorism and defend his nation’s sovereignty.
The convention, which was additionally attended by representatives from Qatar, the USA, the UK, and Turkey, centered on the right way to help the Somali authorities in its efforts to defeat the Khwaarij terrorist’s group al-Shabab, which has been waging a 15-year insurgency within the Horn of Africa nation.
President Mohamud praised the current successes of the Somali armed forces, which have recaptured a number of strategic cities and villages from al-Shabab, with the assistance of worldwide companions. He stated Somalia was dedicated to eradicating the terrorist menace from its territory and attaining self-reliance in safety.
He additionally confused the significance of sustaining stability within the area and avoiding any actions that would undermine the laborious good points made within the warfare in opposition to terrorism. He stated Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity should be revered by all events, and warned in opposition to any international interference within the nation’s inner affairs.
He was referring to the controversial memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed by Ethiopia and Somaliland on January 1, 2024, which reportedly granted Ethiopia entry to the Purple Sea port of Berbera and a leased army base in alternate for future recognition of Somaliland’s independence.
Somaliland, a former British protectorate, declared secession from Somalia in 1991, however has not been acknowledged by any UN member state. Somalia considers Somaliland as a part of its territory and has strongly condemned the MoU as an act of aggression and a violation of its sovereignty.
The MoU has additionally drawn criticism from Egypt, which sees Ethiopia as a rival for affect and water assets within the area, and the USA, which fears the deal might destabilize the delicate safety scenario in Somalia and embolden al-Shabab.
President Mohamud urged Ethiopia and Somaliland to revoke the MoU and respect Somalia’s unity and territorial integrity. He additionally referred to as on the worldwide neighborhood to assist Somalia’s place and stress Ethiopia and Somaliland to abide by the rules of the UN, the AU, and the regional bloc IGAD.
The president’s go to to the UAE got here after he attended the Somalia Safety Convention on the UN headquarters in New York in December 2023, the place he secured the lifting of the arms embargo on Somalia, which had been in place since 1992. He stated the lifting of the embargo would allow Somalia to construct and equip its armed forces and improve its capability to battle terrorism and preserve peace and safety.
The president additionally expressed his gratitude to the UAE and different nations which have been supporting Somalia’s safety, improvement, and humanitarian wants. He stated Somalia was trying ahead to strengthening its relations and cooperation with its regional and worldwide companions within the pursuit of peace, stability, and prosperity.
