Mogadishu,Somalia – In a significant diplomatic development, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has embarked on a pivotal journey to Uganda’s capital, Kampala. His visit, timed for January 18, 2024, coincides with an urgent assembly of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) leaders. Top on the agenda of this extraordinary session is the intensifying dispute between Somalia and Ethiopia, centered on a contentious lease pact in the self-governing territory of Somaliland.
Ismail Omar Guelleh, the president of Djibouti and chair of IGAD, called this high-level conference with the intention of strengthening the values of regional stability and respect for national boundaries, with a focus on the situations in Somalia and Sudan. Tensions escalated following a contentious pact between Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Somaliland’s leader, Muse Bihi. This arrangement, which involves Ethiopia leasing a coastal strip in Somaliland for port and military purposes in return for recognizing Somaliland’s independence, has sparked strong objections from Somalia, alleging it infringes on their national sovereignty.
The summit’s urgency is underscored by a recent incident where an Ethiopian Airlines flight, reportedly carrying top officials, was barred from entering Somali airspace.
The AU and IGAD have been vocal in advocating for a peaceful resolution to these heightened tensions. The summit, with IGAD’s Secretariat led by former Ethiopian Foreign Minister Workneh Gebeyehu, is expected to play a critical role in mediating the crisis. However, Gebeyehu’s recent remarks about the deteriorating Ethiopia-Somalia relations have drawn sharp criticism from Somali authorities, who demand an apology for perceived partiality.
Simultaneously, Ethiopian authorities have shown discontent with IGAD’s approach to the crisis, as per sources from Ethiopia’s Foreign Ministry. Amidst global scrutiny over the Somaliland lease deal, Ethiopia’s Foreign Ministry has recognized the mounting international support for Somalia’s stance.
The AU’s conflict resolution arm has also voiced serious concerns over the growing friction and has called for restraint in the contentious coastline agreement.
Complicating the regional dynamics, President Mohamud’s recent discussions with Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki and Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry have added new layers to the geopolitical equation. With Egypt’s President Abdelfattah El-Sisi, embroiled in a separate dispute with Ethiopia over the GERD Dam, openly backing Somalia, the intricacies of regional alliances are increasingly evident.
Ethiopia, citing prior commitments, has opted out of the IGAD meeting, suggesting alternate dates for the summit. Despite international pressure, Ethiopia upholds the legality of its Somaliland agreement, asserting it respects territorial sovereignty.
In a related turn of events, Sudan has opted out of the upcoming IGAD summit, indicating a preference for internal military consultations before engaging in wider dialogues. This move has led Sudan to cut ties with the regional bloc, marking a significant shift in its diplomatic engagement.
