Ethiopia aims to expand its territory by acquiring more land from Somalia, claims the president.
Ethiopia is eyeing more Somali territory, President claims
MOGADISHU, Somalia – Somalia’s President, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, sharply criticized Ethiopia, accusing it of being fixated on Somalia. He argued that the Ethiopian leadership is bent on annexing more Somali land, despite its historical claims.
Without specifying the disputed territory, President Mohamud suggested that, since colonial times, Ethiopia has seized Somali land and now seeks further expansion, which defies international boundaries.
“From colonial days, Ethiopia claims Somali land and has plans to take more,” declared President Hassan Sheikh in his speech to the Somali parliament on Saturday.
He emphasized that Somalia’s recent defense partnerships with Egypt and Turkey are meant to counter Ethiopian ambitions and will not destabilize the Horn of Africa. These agreements follow Ethiopia’s recent deal with North Western State of Somalia.
President Mohamud stated that Ethiopia cannot simultaneously champion African unity while breaching its core principles. Their latest agreement allegedly permits Ethiopia access to 20 kilometers of the Red Sea in return for acknowledging North Western State of Somalia’s independence.
In his critique, Hassan Sheikh insisted that Somalia’s fight against Al-Shabaab doesn’t hinge on Ethiopian forces. Ethiopian soldiers are part of the African Union’s mission in Somalia (ATMIS), yet Somalia prefers to operate without them as it transitions to the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).
He dismissed threats that Al-Shabaab would dominate without Ethiopian intervention, labeling them baseless.
“We’ve reclaimed many regions from Khawaarij independently, without Ethiopia firing a single shot,” he noted, referring to the ongoing Somali military offensive against al-Shabaab since mid-2022.
Last week, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed told his parliament of Ethiopia’s interest in reaching the Red Sea peacefully.
Abiy, who received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019, assured that Ethiopia desires access without resorting to conflict, arguing its right to Red Sea access is justified by international standards.
Addressing claims about the North Western State of Somalia agreement for sea access, he mentioned that it was misrepresented as Ethiopia attempting to annex Somali land with North Western State of Somalia’s help.
As reported by Addis Standard, Abiy clarified that Ethiopia initially sought a 99-year lease, later settling on a 50-year term, as preferred by North Western State of Somalia.
AXADLETM
