UN Representative Voices Worry Over Somalia-Ethiopia Friction, Urges for Peaceful Dialogue
Mogadishu (AX) – The Acting Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General, James Swan, has voiced his worries about the simmering unrest between Somalia and Ethiopia. This follows a contentious Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) inked between Ethiopia and North Western State of Somalia, a region claiming autonomy, on the first day of 2024.
This agreement, granting Ethiopia access to the sea and permitting a military base in North Western State of Somalia, faced strong objections from Somalia.
On Friday, addressing the United Nations Security Council, Swan reiterated the Council’s dedication to the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of Somalia. He encouraged the involved parties to navigate this dispute diplomatically and adhere to international legal standards.
“I applaud the mediation efforts from various partners, particularly the negotiations hosted by Türkiye in Ankara on July 1 and again on August 12,” Swan remarked, representing the UN in Somalia. “I strongly encourage Ethiopia and Somalia to participate sincerely in these diplomatic engagements and refrain from any actions that might exacerbate tensions. This is crucial considering the possible adverse effects on regional stability, including the repercussions on the post-ATMIS transition.”
Swan also turned his attention to the humanitarian scene in Somalia, pointing out that although the number of individuals requiring aid has dropped from 8.3 million last year to 6.9 million in 2024, the nation remains desperately in need of humanitarian assistance. He appealed for further backing to the 2024 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan, which projects funding of $1.6 billion but has secured just 37% of that amount.
During a recent stop in Hargeisa, Swan also pressed for reducing hostilities in the Sool and Sanaag regions, emphasizing the necessity of preserving humanitarian access. This aligns with a UN Security Council statement released on June 7, 2023.
Edited by: Ali Musa
Axadle international–Monitoring
