Mogadishu(Mogadishu24)-State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ali Mohamed has on Friday denied reports of a maritime treaty involving Somalia and Ethiopia, describing them as completely unfounded and called for peace and stability in the region.
"Reports of a maritime treaty involving Somalia and Ethiopia are completely unfounded. Somalia stands firm on its territorial integrity. We call for a focus on peace and stability in the region. #HornofAfrica #NotAnInch #PeaceNotDeals", the Minister said on X.
The Minister's comment comes a day after Reuters reported that Kenya has proposed a regional maritime treaty to defuse tensions between Ethiopia and Somalia over a deal allowing Ethiopia to set up a naval base and giving it port access in Somalia's breakaway region of Somaliland, citing a top Kenyan official said on Thursday.
The treaty Kenya is proposing in consultation with Djibouti and regional bloc IGAD would govern how landlocked states in the region can access ports on commercial terms, Korir Sing'oei, Kenya's principal secretary for foreign affairs, told Reuters.
The reports also emerged hours after meeting between the Somali President, Hassan Sh. Mohamud and Kenyan President, William Ruto in Nairobi, Kenya whose discussions also focused on promoting regional stability, and enhancing joint efforts to combat terrorism and peace and security in the region.
Ethiopia entered port deal with the Breakaway Republic of Somaliland on January 1st, leasing 20 KM sea access to Ethiopia, a move in which Somalia firmly refuted and then created escalation of diplomatic tense between the two neighboring countries since that time.
