The United Nations Security Council is urging Ethiopia and Somalia to engage in dialogue to settle the dispute over breakaway Somaliland.
The call was made Wednesday after the UN Security Council members convened closed consultations to address the situation between Ethiopia and Somalia under the “Peace and Security in Africa” agenda item.
“We hope that through dialogue, it will be possible to solve the current situation,” Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary General was quoted as saying.
The United States, China, the European Union, African Union and Arab League urged Ethiopia to respect Somali sovereignty in Somaliland which is not recognised by the international community as an independent country.
Ethiopia and neighboring Somalia have a history of stormy relations and territorial feuds, fighting two wars in the late 20th century.
Somalia expressed concerns over an agreement signed on 1 January 2024, between Ethiopia and Somaliland, granting the latter a 20-kilometer naval base lease for 50 years in exchange for diplomatic recognition.
Landlocked Ethiopia is looking for access to the Red Sea to further its trade with the region and the rest of the world.
In its 23rd January letter of complaint to the UNSC, Somalia had argued that the MOU “constitutes an unlawful transgression” of Somali sovereignty and territorial integrity, considering Somaliland as its “constituent part.”
In response, Ethiopia had sent a letter to the UNSC on January 26th expressing willingness to engage in dialogue under the African Union but argued that “the UN Security Council should not discuss the issue since it is being considered by the continental body’s peace and security council.
Ethiopia outlined in the letter that the MOU “paves the way for Ethiopia to secure access to a sea outlet for commercial reasons and mutually acceptable terms in line with international norms.”
MG/as/APA