Arab League condemns Ethiopia-Somaliland deal, stands firm with Somalia

Thursday January 18, 2024 - 01:32:15
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Staff Reporter
Cairo (Diplomat.so) - Resolution 8988, passed by The Extraordinary Session of the Council of the League of Arab States at the Ministerial Level held via Video Conference on January 17, 2024, underscores the Council's commitment to supporting the Federal Republic of Somalia in addressing threats to its sovereignty and territorial integrity. The session, chaired by the Republic of Yemen, interim chair of the Ministerial Council, was convened to deliberate on recent developments in Somalia.
The Council, after considering the Secretariat's note and drawing upon previous resolutions, reiterates its steadfast support for the security, stability, unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Somalia. It acknowledges the right of the Federal Republic of Somalia to defend its territory in accordance with international law, as stipulated in Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations and relevant articles of the Charter of the League of Arab States.

Expressing solidarity with Somalia, the Council condemns the "Memorandum of Understanding" signed between the Federal Republic of Ethiopia and the breakaway region of "Somaliland" on January 1, 2024, deeming it null and void. This action is viewed as a blatant violation of international law principles, as well as the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia. The Council rejects any legal, political, commercial, or military implications arising from the memorandum.

The Council vehemently opposes actions that undermine Somalia's sovereignty or attempt to exploit its internal situation, urging respect for the unity of the Somali state. It supports the Federal Republic of Somalia's efforts to seek condemnation of this measure as an aggression against its sovereignty and territorial integrity through the International Court of Justice.

Furthermore, the Council rejects any attempts to benefit from the aforementioned memorandum, which Somalia considers null and void. Such actions are seen as a threat to Arab national security and navigation in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The Council reiterates the firm Arab position that the territory of "Somaliland" is an integral part of the Federal Republic of Somalia and calls for political dialogue among the Somali people to determine any arrangements for this region.

The Council points out that the negative development indicates that the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia is destabilizing security and stability in the region, threatening regional peace and security in violation of UN and Arab League principles. It requests the Arab member of the UN Security Council to coordinate with the Government of the Federal Republic of Somalia to secure necessary resolutions affirming Somalia's unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, while rejecting the memorandum as null and void.

Additionally, the Council mandates Arab Ambassadors and delegates to various international bodies to take measures to explain the implications of the memorandum on regional and international peace and security. It requests the Secretary-General to form a working group to follow up on the resolution's implementation and communicate with international and regional partners. The Secretary-General is also tasked with informing the relevant entities and member states of the Security Council, UN Secretary-General, and the Chairperson of the African Union Commission about the resolution's content and implications, submitting a report on the progress at the next session of the Arab League Council.

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