By Horn Africa News
Addis Ababa – Ethiopia has once again taken an action that is being widely condemned as a direct assault on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia, after issuing an unlawful ultimatum demanding the withdrawal of Somali troops from the Gedo region in southern Somalia within three days.
This unprecedented move by the Ethiopian government is seen as a blatant overreach and interference in the internal affairs of a neighboring sovereign state.
Analysts, Somali officials, and the public alike have criticized the demand as illegal and provocative.
Gedo is an integral part of the Federal Republic of Somalia, and any military action involving the deployment or removal of troops in the region must be under the authority of the Somali federal government.
Ethiopia’s unilateral order, issued without the consent or coordination of Mogadishu, is being denounced as a violation of international norms and diplomatic protocols.
Experts on Horn of Africa geopolitics have described Ethiopia’s warning as “unacceptable and damaging to bilateral relations,” with many viewing it as an indication of Addis Ababa’s expanding interference in Somali affairs.
In response, the Somali government is expected to issue a strong statement rejecting the ultimatum and reaffirming its commitment to defending its territorial, political, and military sovereignty.
International actors, particularly the African Union and the United Nations, are being urged to take immediate steps to address Ethiopia’s growing encroachment on Somalia’s internal matters.
The relationship between Somalia and Ethiopia has been strained for decades, marked by periods of military conflict, mistrust, and uneasy alliances. This latest episode threatens to further erode trust and escalate tensions in an already fragile region.
