MOGADISHU, Somalia – In a candid interview with Al-Jazeera, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia has escalated his criticism of Ethiopia, accusing the neighboring country of not only seeking illegal sea access through a controversial deal with Somaliland but also of overt military interference within Somalia’s borders.
President Mohamud stated, “Ethiopia is not only claiming the issue of the Somaliland agreement, but it has been interfering in the internal affairs of Somalia for a long time.” He highlighted Ethiopia’s alleged takeover of airports in Somalia’s Gedo region and its provision of arms to local tribes, actions he described as attempts to sow discord by spreading misinformation about Egypt’s intentions in Somalia.
The President emphasized that Ethiopia’s actions, including an agreement with Somaliland’s leader Muse Bihi on January 1, aimed to establish a 20 km sea corridor for military and commercial purposes, are outright violations of Somalia’s sovereignty. “This attempt to occupy part of Somalia is illegal and will not be accepted,” Mohamud declared, categorically refusing negotiations on the matter.
Recent developments include Somalia’s security agreement with Egypt, which led to weapons shipments to Mogadishu, prompting Ethiopian concerns over regional destabilization and fears that these arms might be captured by Al-Shabaab.
In response, Ethiopia has positioned around 10,000 troops along border regions, a presence President Mohamud aims to replace with Egyptian forces as part of an impending shift in the African Union mission.
The ongoing tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia, fueled by territorial disputes and strategic military alignments, paint a complex picture of Horn of Africa geopolitics, with implications for broader regional stability.
