Thursday March 7, 2024
Las Anod (HOL) - The leader of the newly formed SSC-Khatumo administration, Abdikhadir Ahmed Aw-Ali Firdhiye, has issued a warning to the Ethiopian government against interfering in the internal affairs of Sool, Sanag, and Ain areas, collectively known as SSC-Khatumo.
Addressing thousands of people in Las Anod town on Thursday, the leader stated that his administration had received reports indicating that Ethiopian troops were being deployed to the SSC areas to support Somaliland troops.
"We cannot accept this; we categorically reject it. We are accountable for our people and our territory. We refuse any external forces to interfere or attack us, and we will resist it," declared Firdhiye, the leader of SSC-Khatumo.
Mr. Firdhiye instructed his troops to remain on high alert and prepared for any potential incursion from Somaliland.
On Monday, Somaliland's Minister of Defense, Dr. Roble Muse Abdi, hosted the Ethiopian embassy's military attaché and other senior Ethiopian army officers at his office in Hargeisa. The officials discussed various aspects of security cooperation and ways to strengthen the bilateral relationship.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed signed a memorandum of understanding with Somaliland President Muse Bihi in Addis Ababa on January 1, granting Ethiopia access to the sea.
However, Somalia, along with the AU, IGAD, EU, Arab League, Turkey, and the US government, has rejected the Red Sea access agreement between Ethiopia and the breakaway region of Somaliland, arguing that it violates Somalia's sovereignty.
Somalia has insisted that there can be no mediation in the dispute with Ethiopia unless Addis Ababa cancels its controversial deal with the breakaway region of Somaliland.