Tensions in the Horn of Africa have escalated following a disputed agreement between Ethiopia and the breakaway region of Somaliland, prompting the African Union (AU) and the United States to call for calm and diplomatic dialogue.
The memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Ethiopia and Somaliland has sparked outrage from Somalia, with the latter viewing the deal as a violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity. In response, the AU Commission chair, Moussa Faki Mahamat, issued a statement appealing for “calm and mutual respect” to de-escalate the growing tension between the two neighboring Eastern African countries.
The AU’s appeal emphasizes the importance of settling differences through a negotiation process and urges both nations to refrain from actions that could further strain their relations. The statement underlines the imperative to respect the unity, territorial integrity, and full sovereignty of all African Union member states.
Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but lacks international recognition, stands at the heart of the dispute. The United States has also rejected international recognition for the separatist region and echoed the call for diplomatic dialogue to resolve the crisis.
The agreement, signed in Addis Ababa, grants Ethiopia access to commercial maritime services and a military base in exchange for a 50-year lease of 20 kilometers (12 miles) of coastline in Somaliland. While Somaliland’s leader, Muse Bihi Abdi, claims that Ethiopia would “fully recognize” Somaliland in return, this assertion has not been confirmed by Addis Ababa.
The AU’s intervention, coupled with the United States’ stance, reflects the international community’s concern over the rising tensions in the Horn of Africa and the need for peaceful negotiations to address the territorial dispute.
