MOGADISHU, SOMALIA — The Federal Government of Somalia has fiercely refuted Reuters News Agency’s allegations that Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Kenyan President William Ruto discussed a maritime deal during their recent visit in Nairobi. The Somali administration claims that such issues were not on the agenda and reiterates its commitment to maintaining the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Korir Sing’Oei, Kenya’s Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs, issued a clarifying statement, describing the Reuters report as a gross misinterpretation of Kenya’s position on the matter. Sing’Oei reiterated Kenya’s unshakable support to Somalia’s territorial integrity.
The dispute arose when a Reuters report claimed that Kenya suggested a maritime treaty between Somalia and Ethiopia to calm continuing tensions. Tensions between the two nations erupted following Ethiopia’s recent Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Regional Administration of Somaliland, which Somalia’s parliament declared null and illegal, describing it as an act of aggression.
Somalia acted decisively last week in reaction to the MOU, which provided Ethiopia access to the sea in exchange for Somaliland’s recognition as a distinct entity. The Somali government dismissed the Ethiopian envoy and recalled its own ambassador from Ethiopia, escalating the tension between the two countries.
The developments have generated worries about the Horn of Africa’s stability, with the possibility of growing regional tensions and an impact on diplomatic ties between the nations involved.