Saturday 14,Dec,2024 {HMC} Prime Minister Hamse Abdi Barre of the Federal Republic of Somalia inaugurated the Government-Business Partnership Conference on Combating Terrorism Financing today in Mogadishu.

The conference is a strategic initiative aimed at fostering robust collaboration between the government, the business community, and civil society to thwart the financing of terrorism. Emphasizing the collective responsibility, Prime Minister Barre stressed the importance of uniting against those who facilitate and fund terrorist activities, specifically targeting the Khawarij.

The Prime Minister’s address highlighted the critical need to identify and prosecute individuals and entities involved in these illicit operations. He called for a concerted effort to dismantle the financial networks that sustain terrorism, emphasizing the urgency for the safety and stability of the nation.

Attendees at the conference include senior government officials, influential business leaders, and key representatives from various sectors of society, all determined to combat this grave threat. The event represents a significant step in Somalia’s comprehensive strategy to eradicate terrorism financing and bolster its national security apparatus.

Prime Minister Barre outlined the government’s multifaceted approach to cutting off the financial supply chains of terrorist groups, urging all stakeholders to contribute to a unified, coordinated effort. The conference is expected to generate actionable strategies and forge stronger alliances, enhancing the nation’s capability to disrupt the financial underpinnings of terrorist organizations.

Source SONNA

Saturday 14,Dec,2024 {HMC} The recent Ankara Agreement marks a historic diplomatic victory for Somalia, led by President Dr. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. After two years of resistance, Ethiopia has finally acknowledged the territorial integrity of the Republic of Somalia by signing a document that eliminates the contentious term “ownership” that Ethiopia had been pushing for. This pivotal agreement, brokered by the Turkish government and witnessed by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, signifies a momentous achievement in regional diplomacy.

President Dr. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is celebrated for his staunch defense of Somali maritime rights and his resolute efforts to resolve maritime disputes with neighboring Kenya. Both conservative and opposition figures praise his persistent efforts to preserve Somali unity, exemplified by his support for Foreign Minister Ahmed Moallin Fiqi. Somali politicians widely acclaim this recent agreement as another testament to his diplomatic prowess.

Political commentator Prof. Hassan Sheikh lauded President Mohamud’s accomplishments, noting that “President Hassan Sheikh has twice saved the country from the dangers posed by the ambitions of the Ethiopian and Kenyan governments.” He highlighted the successful maritime case against Kenya and the defense of Somali waters from Ethiopian encroachment as significant milestones.

The Turkish-brokered agreement is seen as a critical step toward strengthening bilateral relations and fostering stability and cooperation in the Horn of Africa. The UAE’s foreign ministry issued a statement praising Turkey’s role and President Erdogan’s efforts in mediating the talks. The statement emphasized the importance of peaceful dispute resolution and reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to promoting regional peace and stability.

Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, welcomed the Ankara talks, commending President Mohamud and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed for their leadership and responsibility. He urged the immediate implementation of the agreement’s provisions and praised President Erdogan for his unwavering support and facilitation of the resolution process.

The United States also welcomed the agreement, recognizing it as a means to alleviate regional tensions resulting from Ethiopia’s previous attempts to gain access to the sea through Somaliland. The agreement ensures a reliable, secure, and sustainable maritime route for Ethiopia, under the sovereign authority of Somalia, thus addressing the longstanding dispute.

Somali Deputy Prime Minister Saleh Ahmed Jama hailed the Ankara Agreement as a return to adherence to international law and the principles of the African Union and the United Nations. Deputy Minister Abdirahman Yusuf Al-Adaala expressed gratitude for the united efforts of Somali citizens and leadership in defending the nation’s interests.

Ethiopian politician Jawhar Mohamed acknowledged the agreement as beneficial for Ethiopia, emphasizing that it negates the need for Ethiopia to have its own port on the Red Sea coast. Instead, Ethiopia will use Somali ports, adhering to international laws such as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

The Ankara Agreement not only resolves a significant maritime dispute but also sets a precedent for future diplomatic engagements in the region. It underscores the importance of cooperation, international law, and the relentless pursuit of peaceful resolutions to conflicts. This landmark agreement is a testament to the power of diplomacy and the enduring commitment to regional stability.

Source SONNA

Saturday 14,Dec,2024 {HMC} Somaliland’s new government announced plans to reevaluate its memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Ethiopia following the recent Somalia-Ethiopia agreement mediated by Turkey, which resolved a year-long diplomatic dispute over the MoU.

Mohamed Farah Abdi, spokesperson for the ruling Waddani Party, told BBC Somali on Friday that the Turkish-brokered Ankara agreement, signed on December 11, 2024, does not directly affect Somaliland.

“The agreement in Ankara has nothing to do with us; it was signed between two neighboring countries. We are Somaliland,” Abdi said.

The spokesperson revealed that Somaliland’s government has yet to review the contentious MoU, signed in 2024 and proposed leasing coastal land to Ethiopia for a naval base in exchange for recognizing Somaliland’s independence. Somalia strongly opposed the deal, calling it a violation of its sovereignty.
“The new government will study the MoU. If it aligns with Somaliland’s interests, it will proceed. If not, it will be shelved,” Abdi stated.

The newly elected government, led by President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro, has committed to reassessing all major agreements to ensure they serve Somaliland’s long-term interests.

The Somalia-Ethiopia agreement, facilitated by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, reaffirmed both nations’ commitment to sovereignty, territorial integrity, and international law. Former Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed signed the MoU in Addis Ababa on January 1, 2024.

Saturday 14,Dec 2024 {HMC} Kenya has intensified security along its border with Somalia following violent clashes between Somali federal forces and Jubbaland troops in Raskambooni, a strategic town in the Lower Jubba region.

Kenyan officials have voiced concerns about the escalating tensions and the potential for further instability.

The Nation, Kenya’s largest daily newspaper, reported Friday that around 600 Somali National Army (SNA) soldiers fled into Kenya’s Lamu County after Jubbaland forces overran their positions and set fire to vehicles at the camp.

Raskambooni’s proximity to critical trade routes and its troubled history as a base for factions, including al-Shabab, highlights its geopolitical significance. The clashes underscore a broader power struggle between Somalia’s federal government and its semi-autonomous states, with accusations adding to the friction.

Federal officials have alleged that Jubaland forces collaborated with Al-Shabaab during the operation, claims that Jubbaland leaders have strongly denied.

Kenya has deployed additional security forces to border areas to prevent spillover violence and address growing regional instability. The repatriation of the SNA soldiers is expected in the coming days as Kenya works to mitigate the crisis.

Source Hiiraan online

Saturday 14,Dec,2024 {HMC} The EU on Thursday expressed satisfaction with the resolution of the dispute between Ethiopia and Somalia, recognizing Türkiye’s “important” role in the process.

EU Spokesman for Foreign Affairs Anouar El Anouni, responding to Anadolu’s question during a daily press briefing, commented on the Ankara Declaration signed on Wednesday between Ethiopia and Somalia, with Türkiye acting as the facilitator.

“The European Union welcomes the declaration agreed in Ankara on the 11th of December,” El Anouni said.

He noted that the resolution highlights the importance of mutual respect and dialogue in reducing tensions across Africa. He reiterated the EU’s support for the “unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity” of Somalia and Ethiopia, “pursuant to principles entrenched in international law.”

Acknowledging Türkiye’s key facilitation role, El Anouni said: “We recognize the important role taken by the Republic of Türkiye in achieving this agreement.”

He also affirmed the EU’s readiness to support further efforts and mediation initiatives.

Ankara Declaration

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hosted his Somalian counterpart Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in Ankara on Wednesday before the three leaders announced the Ankara Declaration.

“We have taken the first step toward a new beginning based on peace, cooperation between Somalia, Ethiopia,” Erdogan said at a joint news conference in the Turkish capital.

The leaders of Somalia and Ethiopia “reaffirmed their respect and commitment to one another’s sovereignty, unity, independence and territorial integrity, as well as the principles enshrined in international law, the Charter of the United Nations and the Constitutive Act of the African Union,” Türkiye’s Communications Directorate said.

The two East African countries have been at odds since Ethiopia struck a deal with Somalia’s breakaway region of Somaliland on Jan. 1 to use its Red Sea port of Berbera. Türkiye has been working to end tensions between the two countries.