On Saturday, tensions arose between Somalia and Ethiopia regarding African Union security access, underscoring the strain in their relations.
The dispute initiated when Somalia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation claimed that President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud faced obstacles in accessing the African Union headquarters during the 37th Ordinary Session of the heads of state and government.
In response, Ethiopia asserted that the Somali delegation tried to enter the AU premises with firearms without prior authorization, resulting in a standoff.
“The Federal Government of Somalia strongly condemns the provocative attempt by the Ethiopian government to obstruct the delegation of the Somali President from attending the 2024 AU Summit in Addis Ababa. We call for an urgent, credible and independent investigation,” the ministry said.
Later, President Mohamud claimed his delegation had been harassed because Somalia opposed Ethiopia’s recent MoU with Somalia’s breakaway region of Somaliland over access to the sea.
“It is illegal and it is a violation of all of the internationally accepted standards and charters of the AU and the United Nations. Ethiopia is misleading the world by claiming that they need access to the sea,” Mohamud told a press conference on Saturday in Addis Ababa.
“The question is not access to the sea. The question is how Ethiopia wants access to the sea. Somalia has said many times that we are ready to provide that access. But we want to provide access to our coastal areas to Ethiopia the way Uganda accesses the sea in Kenya and Tanzania.”
In Addis Ababa, Ethiopia issued a statement to specifically respond to the harassment claim. It said Ethiopia welcomed every head of delegation to the African Union, including Somalia’s, despite recent tensions over the MoU signed on January
“As host country, the Government of Ethiopia is responsible for the security of all Heads of State and Government while in the country,” it said.
“Somalia delegation refused the assigned state security personnel. Moreover, the Somali delegation security attempted to enter the AUC (African Union Commission) premises with weapons which was blocked off by AUC security. Ethiopia remains committed to cordial relations with its neighbours.”
President Mohamud’s presence at the summit came as a surprise, especially considering the recent verbal conflicts involving Mogadishu, Addis Ababa, and Hargeisa, the capital of Somaliland.
Despite the tensions, both sides were expected to adhere to the African Union’s guidelines for the summit, which include the provision of 24-hour security by Ethiopian security agencies for all delegation heads.
Ethiopia collaborated with the African Union in releasing a guide last month, outlining that all summit participants would undergo various security checks, with exemptions granted solely by the African Union Commission.
One stipulation explicitly states that no firearms or weapons are allowed within the AU premises, except for the designated security personnel of heads of State and Government, whose details must be submitted to AU Safety and Security Services.
“A Close Protection Security Officer of a Head of State/Government is required to obtain weapon clearance from the Host Government and subsequent permission from the AUC Security,” the rules say.
Diplomatic missions were requested to submit a list of security officers accompanying heads of State and Government, as well as ministers attending the summit. Failure to comply may result in security checks for the respective delegations.
Ethiopian authorities emphasize that such information should have been provided by last week, specifying the quantity and type of firearms and communication equipment intended for use.
Each delegation, led by heads of State, is permitted to bring a maximum of five side arms into Ethiopia. Delegations led by heads of Government or ministers are allowed to carry only two side arms. Authorization for these firearms must be sought at least 72 hours before their scheduled arrival.
Upon arrival, all dignitaries receive a special reception at the airport, accompanied solely by the playing of the African Union anthem.
