Thursday August 8, 2024
Hargeisa (HOL) — The Government of Somaliland has strongly refuted recent remarks made by Egypt's Foreign Minister about the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Somaliland and Ethiopia. Somaliland officials labelled the comments, made during a joint press conference on August 5 with Turkey, as inaccurate and misleading.
In a statement issued on Thursday , the Somaliland Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed its commitment to the MoU with Ethiopia, emphasizing that the agreement is based on mutual interests and respect, essential for regional stability and economic cooperation.
"It is essential to clarify that Somaliland is not, and has never been, part of the Mogadishu administration," the statement said. "We are a distinct and independent nation with a rich history, culture, and democratic institutions. The people of Somaliland exercised their right to self-determination on May 18, 1991, establishing the Republic of Somaliland within its internationally recognized borders."
Somaliland urged Egypt to respect its sovereignty and focus on regional issues, such as conflicts in Libya, Sudan, Palestine, and Lebanon. "The people of Somaliland are determined to pursue their path towards full international recognition and will not be deterred by unfounded claims or interference in our internal affairs," the statement concluded.
During the recent high-level talks in Cairo, Egypt and Turkey reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining Somalia's territorial integrity amidst regional disputes. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan emphasized their opposition to any actions undermining Somalia's unity. This statement followed Ethiopia's controversial agreement with Somaliland on January 1 to lease a 20-kilometre coastal area, which Somalia views as a grave violation of its sovereignty.
Last week, Egypt and Djibouti pledged support for the new African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), which will replace the existing peacekeeping force at the end of the year. This mission aims to stabilize Somalia with contributions from various AU member states, highlighting Egypt's continued commitment to Somalia's security.
Egypt has strengthened its diplomatic and economic ties with Somalia amid regional tensions. On May 27, Egyptian Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouli reiterated Egypt's full support for Somalia during a meeting with Somali Ambassador Elias Sheikh Omar Abu Bakr. Madbouli emphasized the importance of stability for regional security. This cooperation is further evidenced by Egypt's plan to import livestock from Somalia and Djibouti, announced on August 5, 2024, to address rising meat prices. This plan is expected to benefit Somalia's economy significantly.
Last month, Somalia's cabinet ratified a defence agreement with Egypt, indicating deepening military cooperation, although details remain undisclosed.