In a statement on Tuesday, Somalia‘s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said Ali Mohamed Adan, who served as counselor at the Ethiopian embassy in Somalia, was declared persona non grata and that he must leave Somalia within 72 hours.
Somalia and Ethiopia have been embroiled in a heated diplomatic dispute since Addis Ababa signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Somaliland, a move Somalia sees as an attack on its sovereignty. Ethiopia and Somaliland defended the MOU. If implemented, it would give Somaliland recognition from landlocked Ethiopia in exchange for leasing 20 kilometers of waterfront, according to Somaliland officials.
In April, Somalia expelled Ethiopian ambassador Muktar Mohamed Ware, citing ” internal interference » from Ethiopia.
Somalia also ordered the closure of Ethiopian consulates in Somaliland and Puntland, although they remained open.
Last month, Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, speaking at the United Nations General Assembly, urged the international community to stand with Somalia in condemning Ethiopia’s violations.
The ministry said the action was aimed at protecting national interests and upholding international diplomatic norms, emphasizing Somalia’s commitment to sovereignty and respect for international law.
MG/abj/fss/Sf/ac/APA
