In a condemnation at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Turkey, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia has accused Ethiopia of attempting to divert attention from its domestic challenges by engaging in actions that infringe upon Somalia’s sovereignty. This accusation centers on the controversial Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the separatist Somaliland administration and Ethiopia, which provides Ethiopia sea access in exchange for recognition. President Mohamud’s assertion that Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed is leveraging this potential adventure to distract from internal issues not only sheds light on the motivations behind Ethiopia’s foreign policy maneuvers but also raises concerns about the implications for regional stability and counter-terrorism cooperation.
According to President Hassan Sheikh, Ethiopia went into the MoU to bolster national pride and distract from pressing internal conflicts and governance challenges. However, President Mohamud’s allegations suggest that these actions come at a significant cost to Somalia’s territorial integrity and the broader principle of sovereignty within the Horn of Africa.