MOGADISHU, Somalia – On Saturday, Somali President Hassan Sheikh delivered a keynote speech at the parliament days after NCC wrapped up in Mogadishu with a communique on election and security of the country.
The president accused Ethiopia of trying to seize Somali territory while already holding a land – Ogadenia since the post-colonial era. He said Somalia will protect its sovereignty and win the war against Al-Shabaab without the assistance of Ethiopia.
“The intimidation that without Ethiopian soldiers’ presence, Al-Shabaab will take over the country is untrue and beyond reality, our troops alone waged war on Al-Shabaab and made territorial gains and we will finalize and win the liberation fight,” said the president.
Continuing, the head of state announced that Somalia is a sovereign nation and has the right to sign a defense deal with any country that helps to stand with it in restoring its security and protecting its severity. His remarks were in response to claims that Egypt’s involvement in the coming AU mission will destabilize the Horn of Africa region.
Meanwhile, the parliament accepted a request from the president to cancel its recess for one month to endorse bills related to the one-person, one-vote electoral procedures.
The relations between Somalia and Ethiopia worsened after PM Abiy Ahmed signed a sea access MoU with Somaliland in January this year in Addis Ababa, a move that Mogadishu described as a provocative act and a clear violation of the country’s territorial integrity.
Ethiopia which has at least 4,000 soldiers in Somalia is under backlash and criticism for retracting the deal and opting for peace with its neighbor.
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HORN LIFE
