Global powers reiterate support for Somalia’s sovereignty at UN meeting

Global powers reiterated their support for Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity during Monday’s UN Security Council meeting in New York City. The meeting focused on recent tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia in the Red Sea region.

“The US joins the AU and other international partners in restating our support for Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” said US diplomat representative Robert A. Wood. “We urge diplomatic dialogue to ease tensions in the Red Sea region. It’s crucial that this issue doesn’t detract from the critical state-building challenges facing Somalia.”

UK deputy representative James Kariuki echoed similar sentiments. “As previously stated, the UK reaffirms its support for Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” he remarked.

Meanwhile, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Somalia, Catriona Laing, told the UNSC members that it is disappointing that no significant progress was made at the recent 37th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union regarding the tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia.

She also stated that the January 1st MoU generated strong public negative reactions in Somalia.

“We recognize that the strong feelings in Somalia are putting pressure on the government to respond, and we encourage the President to remain measured in his response,” she said.

Despite repeated international calls for Ethiopia to reconsider its agreement with Somaliland, it insists on the deal and claims it intends to gain access to a commercial port and has no plans to cause harm to Somalia.