Somalia expressed disappointment with the African Union’s failure to issue a firm resolution against Ethiopia’s naval base agreement with Somaliland. The AU’s Peace and Security Council meeting on April 11 ended without consensus.
Somalia’s AU envoy, Ali Said Fiqi, argued that “silence emboldens illegality.” He invoked the Ankara Declaration in his speech, reminding member states that territorial integrity is non-negotiable.
The African Union only issued a general statement urging dialogue. Member states like Nigeria and South Africa backed Somalia, while others such as Rwanda and Ethiopia called for neutrality.
The Somali government warned it may suspend its annual AU contributions if the body fails to defend member sovereignty. The proposal is under Cabinet review.
Civil society groups accused the AU of favoring stability over justice. “If borders are open to negotiation, no country is safe,” said Women for Peace chairwoman Rahmo Warsame.
Somali lawmakers across political lines united in their criticism, drafting a motion demanding legal action through the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
Turkey, referencing the Ankara Declaration, reiterated its support for Somalia’s territorial integrity and called on the AU to realign with its founding principles.
In Mogadishu, youth groups organized a symbolic protest outside the AU liaison office, demanding stronger action from the continental bloc.
Somalia’s next diplomatic step involves lobbying the UN Security Council and the Arab League for formal condemnation of Ethiopia’s actions.
