4 April 2024
A brewing diplomatic storm has erupted between Somalia and Ethiopia. Reports indicate Somalia has taken a significant step by expelling the Ethiopian Ambassador from Addis Ababa and closing its consulates in Puntland and Somaliland.
This drastic action comes amidst escalating tensions between the two nations.
While official confirmation from the Somali Foreign Ministry is awaited, sources claim Ambassador Muktar of Ethiopia has not yet been formally informed of the decision. This move signifies a sharp decline in relations between the two countries, which have been strained since January.
The source of the tension lies in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Ethiopia and Somaliland in January 2024. The agreement grants Ethiopia access to the sea through a leased military base in Somaliland, in exchange for potential recognition of Somaliland’s independence.
Although reports suggested a period of calm on the MoU front, tensions reignited after Ethiopia’s State Minister of Foreign Affairs met with a senior ministerial delegation from Puntland. This seemingly innocuous meeting sparked outrage in Somalia, particularly because Puntland recently declared a withdrawal of its recognition from the federal government. This act by Ethiopia was seen as a deliberate provocation by Somalia.
The expulsion of the Ethiopian Ambassador and consulate closures mark a significant escalation in the diplomatic row between Somalia and Ethiopia. Whether this signals a complete breakdown in communication or a desperate attempt to pressure Ethiopia through isolation remains to be seen. The world waits with bated breath to see how this unfolding drama will impact the already fragile region.
