During the meeting, the Council received briefings from H.E. Ambassador Abdullahi Mohamed Warfa, the Permanent Representative of the Federal Republic of Somalia to the AU, and H.E. Ambassador Ayele Lire, the Permanent Representative of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to the AU.

Expressing deep concern over the ongoing tensions following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Ethiopia and the northern region of Somalia (Somaliland) on January 1, 2024, the Council highlighted the potential adverse impact on the peace, security, and stability of the region.

The Council welcomed the statement issued by H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the AU Commission, on January 3, 2024, emphasizing the importance of respecting the unity, territorial integrity, and sovereignty of all AU Member States, including Ethiopia and Somalia.

In alignment with Article 4 of the AU Constitutive Act, Article 4 of the Protocol Relating to the Establishment of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union, and the Charter of the United Nations, the Council unequivocally reaffirmed its strong commitment and support for preserving the unity, territorial integrity, independence, and sovereignty of all Member States.

The Council called upon both Ethiopia and Somalia to adhere to the core principles of the AU and international law in their bilateral and international relations, urging external actors to respect the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of the two AU Member States.

Furthermore, the Council encouraged both nations to exercise restraint, de-escalate tensions, and engage in meaningful dialogue to find a peaceful resolution, emphasizing the importance of African solutions to African problems.

The Council commended the deployment of the AU High Representative for the Horn of Africa, H.E. Olusegun Obasanjo, former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, by the Chairperson of the AU Commission. Obasanjo's role is to foster dialogue between Ethiopia and Somalia and provide regular updates to the Council.

Welcoming the Extraordinary Summit of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) scheduled for January 18, 2024, in Kampala, Republic of Uganda, the Council looks forward to the outcomes of the summit.

The Council concluded by expressing its commitment to remain actively seized of the matter, underscoring the importance of ongoing efforts to address and resolve the complex issues at hand.