Published on 30/10/2024
The Government of Somalia has declared a senior official of the Ethiopian embassy in the country a persona non grata.
Somalia has expelled Ethiopian diplomat Ali Mohamed Adan, citing actions “incompatible with his diplomatic role,” according to a Tuesday statement by the Somalia Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The order demands Adan, a counselor at Ethiopia’s embassy in Mogadishu, depart within 72 hours.
This move marks a rare escalation in Somalia-Ethiopia relations, with the Somali government emphasizing its commitment to safeguarding national interests.
Somalia did not specify the actions allegedly committed by Ali, but the statement said they “constitute a breach of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.”
Somalia and Ethiopia have been involved in a heated diplomatic dispute since Addis Ababa signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Somaliland, a move Somalia sees as infringement on its sovereignty. Ethiopia and Somaliland defended the MOU.
If implemented, it would give Somaliland recognition from landlocked Ethiopia in return for the leasing of 20 kilometers of seafront, according to Somaliland officials.
In April, Somalia expelled Ethiopian Ambassador Muktar Mohamed Ware, alleging “internal interference” by Ethiopia. Somalia also ordered the closure of Ethiopia’s consulates in Somaliland and Puntland, though they remained open.
Last month, Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, speaking at the U.N. General Assembly, urged the international community to stand with Somalia in condemning Ethiopia’s violations.
Barre alleged that Ethiopia was attempting to “annex parts of Somalia under the guise of securing sea access.”
Taye Atske Selassie was the foreign minister at the time and rejected the Somalian prime minister’s comments, insisting that Ethiopia’s MOU with Somaliland is “based on existing political dispensation in Somalia.”
“Ethiopia’s name can never be associated with any one of the allegations,” said Taye, who has now become Ethiopia’s ceremonial president.