Arab League Convenes to Address Somalia-Ethiopia Conflict
The Arab League to hold an emergency meeting on Ethiopia-Somaliland agreement
The Arab League has announced it will hold an emergency online meeting at the level of foreign ministers on January 17 to discuss the recent memorandum of understanding signed between Ethiopia and Somaliland. The agreement grants Ethiopia operating privileges in the Red Sea, northwest of Somalia, which has sparked tensions and drawn strong reactions from Somalia.
The meeting is set to address the repercussions of the controversial agreement, which has been deemed illegal by Somalia. The decision to convene the emergency meeting was made in response to the request of Somalia and has the support of 12 Arab countries.
Morocco will chair the meeting, and Deputy Secretary-General Husam Zaki stated that there is full consensus and support within the Arab League regarding Somalia’s stance on the issue.
The memorandum of understanding, signed on January 1, gives Ethiopia access to the coasts of Somaliland for commercial and military purposes. This has further strained relations between Somalia and Ethiopia, with Somalia withdrawing its ambassador from Ethiopia and declaring the agreement invalid.
The Arab League, along with many member countries including Egypt, has rejected the agreement and expressed support for Somalia’s sovereignty over its territory.
The situation has escalated following the agreement, as tensions rise in the region. Leaders of the regional countries have called for reducing tensions and finding a peaceful resolution to the dispute.
The signing of the agreement has also brought attention to the issue of Somaliland’s unilateral declaration of independence from Somalia in 1991. The memorandum of understanding has raised questions about Ethiopia’s recognition of Somaliland as an independent entity, further complicating the diplomatic situation in the region.
