Somalia Orders Ethiopian Ambassador Out Amid Diplomatic Tensions
On Thursday, Somalia decided to expel the Ethiopian Ambassador to Mogadishu amidst escalating tensions between the two nations regarding allegations of meddling in internal affairs.
Prime Minister Hamza Barre chaired the cabinet meeting where this significant move was announced.
The expulsion of Ambassador Muktar Mohamed Ware was swiftly ordered to take effect immediately, along with the closure of Ethiopian consular offices in Hargeisa, Somaliland, and Garowe, Puntland.
Reports from Prime Minister Hamza’s office indicated that Ethiopia’s interference in Somali affairs had intensified, leading to this decisive action.
The expulsion followed closely on the heels of Puntland’s announcement of a new cooperation agreement with Addis Ababa, despite previously suspending collaboration with Mogadishu within the federal structure.
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Notably, Puntland had rejected constitutional amendments sanctioned by the Federal Parliament, further exacerbating tensions within Somalia.
Somalia’s relationship with Ethiopia had already been strained over disputes concerning Somaliland, although Mogadishu had refrained from expelling the ambassador earlier due to the presence of Ethiopian troops in Somalia as part of the African Union mission (AMISOM).
However, recent events, including the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Ethiopia and Somaliland in January, further fueled the discord.
The situation escalated further when the Ethiopian Foreign Ministry hosted a delegation from Puntland on Wednesday, adding another layer of complexity to the already tense diplomatic standoff.
The expulsion of the Ethiopian Ambassador underscored Somalia’s resolve to address perceived interference in its internal affairs, marking a significant escalation in the strained relations between the two neighboring countries.
Somalia Orders Ethiopian Ambassador Out Amid Diplomatic Tensions