×

Somalia expels Ethiopian ambassador, orders closure of two consulates

Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud addresses members of parliament in Mogadishu, Somalia, Feb 21, 2024.[Via, VOA]

Today's government decision, however, came a day after the semi-autonomous state of Puntland, which is also a federal member state, announced it had signed a new cooperation agreement with Addis Ababa.

Puntland, whose relationship with Mogadishu has been marred by political disputes, said days ago that it had withdrawn from the country's federal system and that it would govern itself independently, following a dispute over constitutional changes approved by Somalia's bicameral parliament.

"Somalia's federal government is responsible for the country's foreign affairs and we consider any agreement a country signs with a different side or a region a clear violation against Somali sovereignty," said Aweis.

In response to today's government decision, Puntland Information Minister Mohamud Aidid Dirir accused Mogadishu of trying to assert its control on "a territory it does not govern."

"Mogadishu has failed to eradicate terrorist groups and spread governance across the country and now it is trying to impose its decisions on a peaceful region that does not run with its orders. It cannot close a consulate in Puntland," Aidid told VOA.

In an interview with VOA Somali, Somaliland Deputy Foreign Minister Rhoda Jama Elmi described Mogadishu's decision as "a mere dream."

The "Mogadishu government had nothing to do with opening of the Ethiopian consulate in Somaliland and its decision has nothing to do with us. It has no impact on Somaliland," she said.

According to Reuters, Ethiopia's foreign ministry spokesperson, Nebiyu Tedla, said it did not have information on the Somali government decisions.

Meanwhile, the Somali Cabinet of Ministers approved the appointment of Abdullahi Mohamed Ali Sanbaloolshe as the new director of the National Security and Intelligence Agency of Somalia (NISA), during the council's weekly meeting in Mogadishu on Thursday.

The newly appointed director has previously held the position of NISA's director twice and has served in other roles, including minister and ambassador. Currently, he is a member of the lower house.

According to the country's constitution, the prominent member of parliament, a close ally of President Mohamud, will automatically lose his parliamentary seat.

The new director will replace Mahad Mohamed Salad, who vacated the position, citing personal and future political plans. Government sources who asked for anonymity said Salad intends to run for the leader of Galmudug regional state in an election this year.