ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia – The African Union Chairperson Moussa Faki has on Thursday expressed his concern over the escalating tension between Somalia and Ethiopia over the Monday’s sea deal.
In a statement sent from the head quarters of the African Union in Addis Ababa, the Chairperson appealed for calm and mutual respect to de-escalate the rising strained diplomatic relations between Somalia and Ethiopia.
Faki outlined that the Union is closely following the tension between the two countries and called on them to avoid any action that could exacerbate the ties between the two brotherly Nations.
He broadly reiterated the need to respect the unity, territorial integrity and full sovereignty of all African Union member states, including Somalia and Ethiopia.
He also highlighted the significance of following the principles of good neighbourliness to foster and maintain peace, security and stability in the Horn of Africa region.
The Chairperson emphasized the need for the two countries to resolve their differences peacefully and diplomatically, saying the AU will firmly support efforts aimed at peaceful resolution of this new diplomatic row.
His statement comes a day after Somalia vehemently dismissed a statement from IGAD over the de-escalation of the tension terming it biased and falls short of condemnation of Ethiopia’s aggression in to the East African Nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.