FALCON POWERS – The Somali President, Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud, accused Ethiopia on Saturday of “refusing to recognize Somalia as a sovereign state.” The relations between the two neighboring countries have been tense since Addis Ababa signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the secessionist region of Somaliland.
In January, Addis Ababa signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Somaliland to gain access to the sea, committing to recognize the independence of this region, which unilaterally seceded from Somalia in 1991. However, Mogadishu condemned the agreement, describing it as “illegal.”
The secessionist authorities in Somaliland claimed that in exchange for this access to the sea, Ethiopia would become the first country to officially recognize them, which no country has done since the small secessionist region with a population of 4.5 million declared its independence from Somalia in 1991.
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud said in a speech to the nation on Saturday that “Ethiopia refuses to recognize Somalia as a neighboring sovereign state.” He added that as long as Ethiopia “does not recognize Somalia’s sovereignty, we will not be able to discuss access to the sea or anything else.”
Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud also affirmed that “Ethiopia violated international law yesterday and still refuses to comply with international laws so that negotiations can take place.”
Turkey is mediating the issue that is causing a dispute between the two neighboring countries, which have a tense relationship, with the aim of allowing Ethiopia access to international waters through Somalia without compromising its territorial sovereignty.
Talks were held on July 1 in the Turkish capital.
