Wednesday January 31, 2024
Mogadishu (HOL) - Former Somali Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmake has called on the Somali people to prepare for a self-defence war against Ethiopia's desire to take a portion of Somalia's waters and underline the country's sovereignty.
In an interview with the Hanolaato YouTube channel on Tuesday, Sharmake expressed concern that Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed was actively involved in efforts to divide Somalia. Sharmake cautioned against underestimating Abiy Ahmed's intentions, emphasizing Ahmed's possibility of initiating a war on Somalia.
Sharmake called on the leaders of the IGAD regional organization to reject Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's request for a meeting of the heads of state to address the diplomatic row with Somalia.
In a related development, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, just a day ago, reiterated that Somalia would not participate in mediation talks with Ethiopia until Addis Ababa retracts from the illegal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) it signed with the breakaway region of Somaliland on January 1.
President Mohamud and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed attended the Italy-Africa summit in Rome.
The MoU, allowing Ethiopia access to the Red Sea port of Berbera, has raised significant concerns over regional stability and security. Somalia has vehemently opposed this agreement, declaring it null and void, and has recalled its ambassador to Ethiopia.