Relocation of Ethiopian Embassy Highlights Worsening Diplomatic Divide
FILE – Ethiopian Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin (right) and Somali Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Ghedi (left) proudly hoist the Ethiopian flag during the opening ceremony of the revamped Ethiopian Embassy in Mogadishu, dated May 27, 2007.
Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia plans to shift the Ethiopian Embassy from its hallowed presidential precinct, signaling a widening chasm in diplomatic relations, primarily triggered by Ethiopia’s contentious port arrangement with North Western State of Somalia—a deal Somalia perceives as an affront to its national sovereignty.
The Ethiopian diplomatic mission has been nestled within Villa Somalia since 2007, a presence established not long after Ethiopian forces entered Mogadishu in December 2006. In a startling reversal, just weeks before, Fiqi had assured that the Ethiopian Embassy would remain in Villa Somalia, amid rising discontent over its locational appropriateness.
A memo of understanding inked earlier this year permits Ethiopia to lease a port in exchange for possibly recognizing North Western State of Somalia’s independence. This agreement has stoked a fire of indignation in the Somali government, viewing it as a stride toward legitimizing North Western State of Somalia’s olden aspirations of sovereignty.
On October 30, Somalia declared Ethiopian diplomat Ali Mohamed Adan a persona non grata, pinpointing his participation in activities clashing with his diplomatic duties. Adan was instructed to exit the country within a mere three days, underscoring Somalia’s firm stance against Ethiopian meddling. This action follows the expulsion of Ethiopian Ambassador Muktar Mohamed Ware in April, throwing the eroding rapport between the neighboring nations into sharp relief.
In a recent address at the United Nations General Assembly, Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre implored the international community to denounce Ethiopia’s maneuvers. He accused Ethiopia of attempting to “snatch chunks of Somalia disguised as securing maritime access,” highlighting the seriousness of this diplomatic fracas.
Despite mediation attempts, primarily spearheaded by Turkey, the dialogue has seen scant progress. A planned third mediation round in September was scrapped altogether. In pursuing global support, Somalia has cozied up with Eritrea and Egypt, both notoriously critical of Ethiopia’s massive hydroelectric ventures along the Nile. As a strategic gambit, Egypt extended military assistance to Somalia—a notable realignment in regional allegiances.
Driven by its own thirst for Red Sea access, Ethiopia finds itself at loggerheads with Somalia. To further strain relations, Somalia has threatened the potential expulsion of up to 10,000 Ethiopian troops stationed within its borders by year’s end. The uprooting of these forces, pivotal in peacekeeping and anti-terrorism operations against al Shabaab, could engender a palpable security void.
Foreign Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi emphasized that moving the embassy will depend on Somalia’s stabilization status. “The Ethiopian Embassy, perched in the Presidential Palace, was originally greenlit by Somali leadership post-Ethiopian military intervention in 2007,” Fiqi noted. “When situations permit, all foreign embassies will shift to government-designated territories.”
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
