Somalia Rejects Illegitimate Maritime MOU Signed by Ethiopia and Somaliland

In response to the recent Quint summit’s call for dialogue between Somalia and Ethiopia over an illegal maritime Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), Somalia reaffirms its commitment to sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The summit, convened by representatives from Qatar, Turkey, UAE, UK, and USA, highlighted concerns over tensions in the Horn of Africa, particularly regarding the MoU signed between Ethiopia and the breakaway Somaliland administration in January 2024.

Somalia acknowledges the diplomatic challenges stemming from previous agreements, including the defence pact and intelligence-sharing deal with Ethiopia, signed in December 2023. While these agreements aimed to bolster regional security, Somalia emphasizes the need for adherence to legal frameworks and respect for its sovereignty.

It's crucial to note that any MoU involving Somalia's territorial waters and land must be negotiated and signed by the federal government. The recent agreement between Ethiopia and Somaliland, therefore, holds no legal validity.

Past actions, such as the abrogation of the 2008 agreement facilitating the withdrawal of Ethiopian troops from Somalia and subsequent bilateral agreements, underscore the complexity of regional dynamics. However, Somalia stands firm in its rejection of any attempt to compromise its sovereignty.

The maritime MoU in question is distinct from the 2009 agreement between Somalia and Kenya, adjudicated by the International Court of Justice in 2021. Ethiopia's involvement in signing an MoU with an administration claiming secession from Somalia violates Somalia's territorial integrity and undermines its sovereignty.

Critics have raised concerns about potential personal motivations behind closer ties with Ethiopia at the expense of Somalia's national interests. However, Somalia asserts its commitment to upholding national sovereignty and interests in all diplomatic engagements.

In light of these developments, Somalia reiterates its stance: there is no basis for dialogue regarding an illegitimate MoU that undermines its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Any resolution must respect Somalia's constitutional authority and international legal frameworks.