CAIRO: The League of Arab States and the Arab Parliament have voiced support for the Somali government in condemning a controversial deal between Ethiopia and Somaliland.
Ethiopia this week signed an agreement granting it naval and commercial access to ports along Somaliland’s coast in exchange for recognition of the breakaway region’s independence.
The Arab League said that the memorandum of understanding violated Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Somalia vowed on Tuesday to defend its territory by any legal means and recalled its ambassador to Ethiopia after Addis Ababa agreed the deal with Somaliland.
The agreement, signed by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Somaliland leader Muse Bihi Abdi, will give Ethiopia access to the Red Sea port of Berbera.
Jamal Rushdi, spokesman for the secretary-general of the Arab League, condemned any deal that violates the sovereignty of the Somali state or attempts to take advantage of Somalia’s fragile internal situation.
He said that the Arab League supports the decision of the Somali Cabinet, which rejected the memorandum of understanding signed on Jan. 1, between Ethiopia and Somaliland as “null and void and unacceptable.”
Rushdi said the deal violates Somalia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and international law.
The Arab League also warned that the agreement could increase the spread of extremist ideas at a time when the Somali state was making considerable efforts to confront the issue.
Meanwhile, the Arab Parliament called on Ethiopia to “adhere to the rules and principles of good neighborliness, respect for countries’ sovereignty, and not interfere in their internal affairs to achieve regional security and stability.”
The Arab Parliament voiced its support for Somalia in any legal action to maintain its stability and national sovereignty.
