Ethiopian Ambassador to Somalia tenders Apology amidst diplomatic tensions

Ethiopian Ambassador to Somalia, Muktar Mohamed Ware, publicly apologized on Sunday following controversy surrounding his recent remarks in an Ethiopian local media interview. In the interview, Ware labeled Somalia as a nation “created by colonialists” and asserted that “Somaliland is an independent country with de facto and juridical authority to sign international agreements.”

Ware’s apology, shared on X (formerly Twitter), expressed regret, clarifying that his words were “misguided” and never intended to harm the diplomatic relationship between the two nations.

Despite initial speculation of his possible dismissal, it appears that Ware’s apology has quelled immediate concerns about his expulsion.

The Ethiopian ambassador reiterated his commitment to strengthening ties between Ethiopia and Somalia.

However, tensions have escalated between Ethiopia and Somalia following Ethiopia’s signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Somaliland on January 2, 2024.

The agreement grants Ethiopia access to the Gulf of Aden in exchange for recognizing Somaliland’s independence from Somalia. This comprehensive MoU spans social, economic, political, and military cooperation, intensifying the ongoing dispute between Ethiopia and Somalia.

Somalia, which considers Somaliland part of its territory, reacted strongly to the agreement. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud signed a law nullifying the MoU, emphasizing the government’s commitment to “safeguard our unity, sovereignty & territorial integrity as per international law.”

In response to Ethiopia’s actions, the Somali government condemned the signing of the MoU, recalling its ambassador to Ethiopia for consultation. The move was deemed a violation of Somalia’s territorial integrity, leading Somalia to declare the agreement void.

President Mohamud, in an interview with Al Jazeera, warned Ethiopia, stating, “This is a piece of land that belongs to Somalia, and [we] will never yield to whatever pressure that comes on it.”