Morocco chairs Arab FMs’ emergency meeting to address Ethiopia-Somaliland MoU

In a swift response to the memorandum of understanding inked between Ethiopia and the Somaliland region, the Arab League will hold an emergency meeting on Wednesday Jan.17.

The meeting, to be chaired by Morocco, will gather foreign ministers to deliberate on the potential ramifications of this diplomatic development.

The Arab League, in a statement released on Sunday, underscored the seriousness of the situation and declared its decision to hold an emergency session via video conference at the League Council’s level. The focus will be on the aftermath of the “illegally” signed memorandum of understanding between Ethiopia and the region of Somaliland.

Elias Cheikh Omar Abu Bakr, the Ambassador of Somalia in Egypt and Permanent Representative to the Arab League, disclosed on January 4 that Somalia had formally approached the Arab League. The purpose was to call for an urgent meeting of the League Council, specifically among Arab foreign ministers.

The aim is to examine the consequences of the MoU, which grants Ethiopia rights to exploit a 20 km-area northwest of Somalia in the Red Sea, along with a designated port and military base in the region.

The Somali diplomat stressed the necessity of a unified Arab response to what he labeled a “blatant violation” by Ethiopia against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia. He argued that Ethiopia’s unilateral actions pose a threat to Arab security and navigation in the Red Sea, as well as an overt attempt to undermine the sovereignty, independence, and unity of Somalia.

Emphasizing the significance of adhering to principles of neighborliness, the diplomat highlighted the need to strengthen peace, security, and stability in the Horn of Africa region.

Moreover, Abu Bakr warned against the dangerous repercussions of Ethiopia’s move, characterizing it as a flagrant violation of Somali sovereignty that could further destabilize the already tense situation in the region.