Sunday July 14, 2024
Mogadishu (HOL) - Somali Foreign Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi stated that the al-Shabab group's terror ideology has no place in a peaceful Somalia, a few days after the country's former security adviser made a striking statement regarding the ongoing tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia.
Abdisaid Muse Ali, the former National Security Advisor to ex-President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo, stated in an interview with BBC Somali that if President Hassan Sheikh's government cannot counter Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's repeated challenges to Somalia's sovereignty, they should allow al-Shabab to take over.
Minister Fiqi wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that al-Shabab remains a designated international terrorist organization, posing a grave threat to Somalia, the region, and beyond. He emphasized that their ideology of violence and terror has no place in a peaceful Somalia.
"The Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) is resolute in safeguarding Somalia's territorial integrity and sovereignty. We categorically reject and condemn any statements that jeopardize our nation's recovery, hard-earned victories, national security, the rule of law, and our shared aspirations for a better Somalia," he said.
Diplomatic relations between Ethiopia and Somalia have deteriorated significantly since January 1, when Ethiopia signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Somaliland administration. The agreement allows Ethiopia sea access and a military base in exchange for potential recognition of Somaliland.
The Somali government rejected the agreement and, in April, expelled the Ethiopian ambassador to Somalia, Muqtar Mohamed, and ordered the closure of the Ethiopian consulates in Somaliland and Puntland.
Somaliland seceded from Somalia more than 30 years ago but is not recognized by the African Union (AU) or the UN as an independent state.