By Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Africanews
Published on 2024-01-19 17:33:03
The African Union’s Peace and Security Council (PSC) has taken action to prevent the escalating tensions between Ethiopia and Somalia from resulting in a full-scale war. They have deployed former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo to engage in negotiation efforts in response to the dangerous strain in relations between the two neighboring countries.
This strain emerged after the secessionist region of Somaliland signed an agreement with Ethiopia on January 1st, granting Ethiopia control over a maritime port and a military base on the Red Sea. Somalia responded by declaring its readiness to go to war.
The history of conflict between Ethiopia and Somalia dates back to previous territorial disputes in 1977 and Ethiopia’s invasion of Somalia in 2006 as part of the fight against terrorism. Somaliland’s decision to allow Ethiopia access to its territory is a strategic move aimed at gaining recognition for its status as an independent state, a status they have claimed since breaking away from the voluntary union of 1960 with Somalia.
Obasanjo faces a daunting task in negotiating peace between the two countries as Somalia recently turned away an Ethiopian flight bound for Somaliland, carrying representatives of the Ethiopian government. The PSC has urged both Ethiopia and Somalia to adhere to the principles of the African Union and international law in their bilateral and international relations.
The African Union considers Somaliland to be a province of Somalia and has appointed Obasanjo for negotiations while warning against interference by other countries in the matter. The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) convened an extraordinary summit to discuss the issue, but Somalia has declared that it will not engage in discussions with Ethiopia unless they reverse the January 1 agreement with Somaliland.
According to the Somali Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia have been violated by Ethiopia’s agreement with Somaliland, and they have stated that there is no room for mediation unless Ethiopia reverses its agreement and reaffirms Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
