Somali opposition demands transparency on Ethiopia agreement signed in Ankara

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Friday December 13, 2024

Somali opposition leader Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame addresses the media

Mogadishu (HOL) — Somali opposition leader Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame has called for transparency regarding an agreement reached between Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in Ankara, Turkey. The deal, mediated by Turkey, has sparked concerns over its lack of clarity and potential implications for Somalia’s sovereignty.

“The agreement signed with Ethiopia in Ankara is unclear,” Warsame said. “Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and President Hassan Sheikh clasped hands, but the Somali public must not be misled. The president had previously vowed not to engage with Ethiopia until it reversed its controversial agreement with Somaliland. The shift reflects internal political pressures.”

The controversial 2020 agreement between Ethiopia and Somaliland granted Ethiopia access to Somaliland’s Berbera port and included security provisions. The deal caused an uproar in Somalia, with many Somalis viewing the agreement as undermining Somalia’s territorial integrity, a stance President Hassan Sheikh had strongly championed before engaging in Ankara talks.

Warsame also condemned recent clashes in Ras Kamboni, where Somali federal forces reportedly engaged in skirmishes with Jubbaland troops. The incident, which saw Somali forces retreating toward the Kenyan border, has been described by the opposition leader as a “national disgrace.”

“What occurred in Ras Kamboni is one of the greatest embarrassments in our nation’s history,” Warsame said. “The responsibility for this failure rests entirely with President Hassan Sheikh, who deployed the troops without adequate coordination.”

The clashes have further exposed divisions between Somalia’s federal government and Jubbaland authorities, complicating efforts to maintain national unity amid escalating regional tensions.

The Ankara talks concluded with promises to resolve long-standing disputes, including the contentious Somaliland agreement. However, details of the new accord have yet to be worked out, fuelling skepticism among opposition leaders and the public.

Politicians, including the former Primer Minister, argue that the lack of transparency risks eroding trust in the government’s ability to defend Somalia’s sovereignty. “This is not just about the agreement,” said Warsame. “It’s about the government’s credibility and the need for a clear strategy to navigate these complex geopolitical challenges.”

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