Beletweyne, 6 Jan 2024–{HMC} As part of its ongoing efforts in humanitarian aid, the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) on Thursday donated relief food to households in Bulo-barde, Central region of Somalia, who were affected by the recent El Nino-induced floods.

The donations, which included essential items such as sugar, rice, wheat flour and cooking oil, among others, were provided by Djibouti Armed Forces troops serving with ATMIS.

Col. Said Waberi Harour, the Sector Four Commander who presided over the food distribution, lauded the Djibouti Armed Forces soldiers for their commitment to supporting affected families in the community.

“I commend Djibouti troops for their sacrifice and compassion in sharing a portion of their food rations with the Somali people devastated by the floods along River Shabelle,” said Col Harour.

He further emphasized that the donation would help mitigate the negative impacts of flooding mainly food insecurity. Significant areas in Hiran region have been adversely affected by flooding, making it difficult to access necessities such as food and medicine.

Hassan Mohamed Abdi Bulo-barde District Commissioner, who received the donation on behalf of the local administration, complimented Djibouti troops for the noble intervention in supporting the flood victims.

“In addition to assisting in maintaining peace and stability in the region, ATMIS-Djibouti troops have made a commendable decision to share what they have with the flood victims,” observed Abdi.

The relief aid was donated to individuals most affected by the El Nino-induced floods among them vulnerable families, the elderly and individuals with special needs.

The donation exercise was attended by Eleyeh Abdi Omar, Commander of Bulo-barde Forward Operating Base (FOB); Hassan Hero, Somali National Army Commander in the Hiran region and representatives of the local community.

Saturday January 6, 2024

President Erdogan expresses that the alarming tension between Somalia and Ethiopia must terminate based on Somalia’s territorial integrity in a phone talk with his Somali counterpart.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has spoken by phone with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud of Somalia, where discussions encompassed the bilateral relations between Türkiye and Somalia, counterterrorism efforts, and global and regional issues.

During the call on Friday, President Erdogan stated that Türkiye stands by Somalia in its fight against terror and that the cooperation between the two countries will increasingly continue improving.

Turkish President Erdogan in phone call with Somali counterpart Mohamoud:

– Discussed fight against terrorism, global & regional issues
– We stand with Somalia in its fight against terrorism
– Tension between Somalia & Ethiopia should end based on Somalia’s territorial integrity pic.twitter.com/rr8VlNq5dR

— TRT World (@trtworld) January 5, 2024
The call addressed the Türkiye-Somalia relations, the fight against terror as well as global and regional issues.

President Erdogan also expressed that the alarming tension between Somalia and Ethiopia must terminate on the basis of Somalia’s territorial integrity.

The leaders exchanged views on a range of topics, emphasising the significance of cooperation between Türkiye and Somalia in addressing shared challenges and contributing to regional stability.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan spoke by phone with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia.

The call addressed the Türkiye-Somalia relations, the fight against terror as well as global and regional issues.

During the call, President Erdoğan stated that Türkiye stands by…

— Republic of Türkiye Directorate of Communications (@Communications) January 5, 2024
Memorandum of Understanding signed by Ethiopia and Somaliland

Türkiye on Thursday expressed concern over a Memorandum of Understanding signed by Ethiopia and Somalia’s breakaway region of Somaliland.

The MoU was signed on Monday, granting Ethiopia access to the Red Sea through the port of Berbera in Somaliland.

Ethiopia lost its Red Sea ports in the early 1990s after the Eritrean War of Independence, which lasted from 1961 to 1991.

In 1991, Eritrea gained independence from Ethiopia, leading to the establishment of two separate nations. The separation resulted in Ethiopia losing direct access to the Red Sea and key ports.

Ethiopia has since been landlocked, affecting its ability to conduct efficient maritime trade.

Saturday January 6, 2024

The UN on Friday said Somalia will experience a tough time in 2024 as millions will need humanitarian assistance “just like the recent years.”

In a statement on X Friday, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said an estimated 6.9 million people in the country will need assistance.

As the country recovers from its worst and prolonged drought in four decades, which killed as many as 43,000 people and displaced over 1.5 million people, rainfall exacerbated by the weather phenomenon El Nino worsened the situation.

Abdullahi A. Hassan, executive director for the Community Action for Climate Change (CACC), a local non-profit, said towns such as Bardhere, in the region of Gedo that serves as a vital economic and commercial hub for over 200 villages, has been one of the worst affected areas and the humanitarian situation there is dire.

“Bardhere has been grappling with numerous challenges posed by climate change. The city has been plagued by frequent droughts and floods, which have severely impacted the local economy and the lives of its inhabitants,” he told Anadolu.

Hassan said floods in October and November had a devastating impact, affecting approximately 50,000 residents, damaging their homes and disrupting their livelihoods.

In 2023, an estimated 8.25 million people, nearly half of Somalia’s population, needed life-saving humanitarian and protection assistance.

Somalia declared a state of emergency in October after extreme weather destroyed homes, roads, and bridges.​​​​​​​

By CHINA DAILY
Saturday January 6, 2024

An agreement reached between landlocked Ethiopia with the self-declared republic of Somaliland on Monday over sea access has drawn sharp criticism from neighboring Somalia.

Somaliland seceded from Somalia more than three decades ago, but the move is not recognized internationally.

Even though the details of Monday’s agreement between Ethiopia and Somaliland have not been made public, a statement from Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s office said the memorandum of understanding would pave the way to realize Ethiopia’s aspiration to secure sea access.

In a statement released after the signing of the MoU, Somaliland’s foreign ministry said that the historic agreement will ensure Ethiopia’s access to the sea for their naval forces, reciprocated by formal recognition of the Republic of Somaliland.

However, Ethiopia has not officially confirmed that the MoU included the formal recognition of the Republic of Somaliland.

On Tuesday, Somalia reacted angrily to the MoU and said it was recalling its ambassador to Ethiopia.

In a statement released by the government spokesman’s office, Somalia said it sees Somaliland as part of its territory.

It termed the agreement null and void and a violation of its sovereignty.

Somalia also wanted the UN Security Council and the African Union to discuss the issue.

“The Somali government recognizes Ethiopia’s actions as a blatant violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia,” read the statement issued by the Somali government on Tuesday.

“The Somali government, with the support of its people, is ready to defend, protect and preserve its sovereignty, dignity, territorial integrity, and social unity.”

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Ethiopia said it has a longstanding cooperation agreement with Somaliland, and that consultations on mutual benefits have been going on for months.

On Wednesday, Moussa Faki Mahamat, the African Union Commission Chairperson, called for calm and mutual respect to de-escalate the simmering tension between Ethiopia and Somalia.

He urged the two countries to refrain from any action that unintentionally may lead to a deterioration of the good relations between the two neighboring Eastern African countries.

“I urge the two brother countries to engage without delay in a negotiation process to settle their differences in the most constructive, peaceful and collaborative manner to consolidate and deepen their cooperation to serve peace and security in the region. I reaffirm that the African Union will stand strongly on their side to encourage an African solution to this new African tension,” Mahamat said.