Somalia’s navy forces have been urged to prepare for action. Major General Ibrahim Sheikh Muhuyidin, the Chief of the Somali Defense Force, delivered a rallying call to members of the navy forces during his visit on Thursday.
This call to action comes in response to an agreement between Ethiopia and Somaliland, which grants Ethiopia exclusive access to a major port in Somaliland.
Somalia, considering Somaliland as part of its territory, has vehemently opposed the agreement and vowed to defend its land using any necessary means.
General Ibrahim Sheikh Muhuyidin, Commander of the Somali Armed Forces, expressed his determination to protect Somalia’s territorial waters. During his visit to the armed forces, he emphasized the need for preparedness against both internal and external threats.
The Somali Navy was instructed to fulfil their duty immediately and ensure the protection of the Somali sea. The government has also recently trained new marine forces from the Eritrean government, strengthening their naval capabilities.
The recent agreement signed between Ethiopia and Somaliland, granting Ethiopia access to a major port, has sparked concern about the stability of the Horn of Africa region.
The pact, signed in Addis Ababa, has drawn criticism from Somalia, which considers Somaliland an integral part of its territory.
Hundreds of people in Mogadishu protested against the agreement, denouncing Ethiopia’s access to the Red Sea, a vital strategic waterway.
While Addis Ababa defended the agreement by citing similar deals made by other countries with Somaliland in the past, the Arab League, Egypt, and the European Union have expressed support for Somalia’s stance, calling for respect for Somalia’s sovereignty.
In response to Ethiopia’s perceived aggression, Somalia has vowed to defend its territory through legal means. The government has called for urgent meetings of the UN Security Council and the African Union to address Ethiopia’s actions. Mogadishu seeks international support to counter the agreement, which it considers a threat to its sovereignty.
The Somali government insists on the significance of respecting Somalia’s territorial integrity and seeks the backing of global organizations to address the situation.
