Somalia has expelled an Ethiopian diplomat stationed in Mogadishu, intensifying already fragile relations between the neighboring nations. In a statement released Tuesday, Somalia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs declared Ali Mohamed Adan, a counselor at Ethiopia’s embassy in Mogadishu, persona non grata for “activities incompatible with his diplomatic role.” Adan was given 72 hours to depart the country.
Though Somalia did not disclose specific actions leading to Adan’s expulsion, officials referenced the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, indicating alleged breaches of diplomatic protocol. Efforts by VOA’s Horn of Africa Service to reach Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Nebiat Getachew for comment were unsuccessful.
This incident unfolds against a backdrop of escalating tensions since Ethiopia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Somaliland, an agreement Somalia claims infringes on its sovereignty. The MOU, which Ethiopian and Somaliland officials support, would reportedly grant Ethiopia access to 20 kilometers of Somaliland’s coastline. Somalia, however, views this move as undermining its territorial integrity and has raised alarms over Ethiopia’s intentions.
In April, Somalia expelled Ethiopian Ambassador Muktar Mohamed Ware, accusing him of “internal interference.” Somalia has also requested the closure of Ethiopia’s consulates in Somaliland and Puntland, though both remain operational. Last month, Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, addressing the United Nations General Assembly, called for international condemnation of Ethiopia’s alleged encroachments, suggesting Ethiopia aimed to “annex parts of Somalia under the guise of securing sea access.”
Previous incidents include:
- Somalia-Egypt Military Agreement: Somalia’s military bilateral agreement with Egypt has further complicated matters.
- Tripartite Summit: Somalia held a summit with Egypt and Eritrea in early October to enhance Somalia’s capacity to protect its land and sea borders.
Ethiopia’s former Foreign Minister Taye Atske Selassie, now serving as ceremonial president, rejected Somalia’s claims, defending the MOU as consistent with “existing political understandings” within Somalia. Selassie countered Barre’s statements, asserting that “Ethiopia’s name can never be associated with any one of the allegations.”
As regional tensions simmer, the expulsion of Adan signals Somalia’s escalating concerns over sovereignty and regional autonomy, with observers anticipating further developments in the region’s complex political landscape.
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