Somali President confirms Ethiopia’s request for talks in response to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed

Sabti 06 julay 2024 {ADDUUN.COM} Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud revealed that Ethiopia requested international facilitation for talks with Somalia regarding the controversial agreement between Ethiopia and Somaliland.

Speaking on Saturday at the opening of the 5th session of the Lower House of the Somali Parliament, President Mohamud appeared to respond to Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who had told Ethiopia’s parliament this week that the Somali government was going through other countries to accuse Ethiopia instead of sending delegates directly to Addis Ababa for discussions.

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“Ethiopia’s government is evading responsibility for its diplomatic mistakes and violating international norms,” said President Mohamud. “Yesterday, Ethiopia broke international law, and today, it refuses to follow the correct path. Ethiopia claims to want reconciliation with Somalia while acting contrary to diplomatic principles.”

President Mohamud emphasized that the Ethiopian government’s actions are not conducive to peace and have eroded trust and adherence to international law.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed criticized Somalia this week for avoiding direct talks. “My advice is don’t waste money going through other countries to accuse us when it is possible to come to us in Addis Ababa. We are ready for discussion,” he said, adding that the money could be better spent on “building a one-kilometre walkway or one school in Mogadishu, which would benefit the people.”

The foreign ministers of Ethiopia and Somalia arrived in Ankara on July 1 but did not engage in face-to-face talks. Turkey’s foreign ministry described the discussions as “transparent, in good faith, and forward-looking.” The parties agreed to reconvene on September 2, indicating that further dialogue is needed to resolve the crisis.
The signing of a controversial MoU between Ethiopia and the self-declared Republic of Somaliland on January 1, 2024, has led Somalia to launch a diplomatic campaign opposing the agreement.