Sunday September 8, 2024
FILE - Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed delivers a speech during a national ceremony, emphasizing the country’s commitment to safeguarding its sovereignty amid growing regional tensions. His remarks highlighted Ethiopia’s historical stance on peace and self-defense, as military personnel stood in formation behind him.
Mogadishu (HOL) — Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has vowed that Ethiopia will never negotiate its sovereignty, warning that any attempt to challenge the nation's independence would be met with strong resistance. His declaration comes as tensions rise in the Horn of Africa, particularly with neighbouring Somalia and Egypt.
"Ethiopia has never invaded another country in its history, and we will not allow anyone to violate our sovereignty," Abiy said during Ethiopia's Sovereignty Day celebration. His remarks follow the arrival of two Egyptian C-130 military planes in Mogadishu, which has heightened concerns in Addis Ababa over Egypt's growing influence in Somalia.
At the heart of the diplomatic strain is Ethiopia's recent agreement with Somaliland, the self-declared independent region of Somalia. The Somali federal government, which opposes Somaliland's independence, has threatened to expel Ethiopian troops unless the agreement is rescinded. Somalia has also bolstered military ties with Egypt, further complicating the regional dynamics.
Ethiopia and Somalia recently engaged in indirect talks mediated by Turkey, though the negotiations concluded without resolution. Ethiopia's concerns are compounded by Egypt's long-standing dispute with Addis Ababa over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), which Cairo fears will reduce its share of Nile waters.
Egypt has petitioned the United Nations to intervene, calling for urgent action against the completion of the GERD project, which Ethiopia considers crucial to its energy needs.
"Anyone intending to invade Ethiopia should think ten times before doing so. We have a long history of defending ourselves," Ahmed said, adding that Ethiopia has not engaged in conflicts with neighbouring countries in recent years.
Ethiopia's Sovereignty Day, celebrated annually on Pagume 13.