During a recent discussion on Horn of Africa affairs, elders from the Somali regional state in Ethiopia urged Somalis to “refrain from involving themselves in a war that does not concern them”.
Ogaden clan Elder Garaad Kulmiye Garaad Mohamed presided over the meeting, which covered current regional concerns and stressed the value of stability. The elders talked about Ethiopia’s efforts to gain access to the sea, characterizing it as a project for the country’s overall development. Garaad highlighted the interdependence of regional interests by emphasizing that “anything harmful to Ethiopia also harms the people of the Somali region.”
Protecting the nation’s national interests is the main priority, according to Garaad. He issued a warning to the neighboring nations not to take any actions that would “drag the Horn of Africa into a crisis.”
The longstanding relationships between Ethiopia and Somalia were discussed.
“We should continue to uphold our common history of unity and remain brothers, even with the border separating the people of the Somali region and Somalia,” said Garaad.
He stated that more than 500,000 Somali refugees have found refuge in Ethiopia, and many of them are enrolled in academic programs at Addis Ababa and Jigjiga.
The elders voiced worries that the area might become unstable due to “external forces.”
Garaad called on Somalians to “oppose those forces,” pointing out that they don’t seem to care about taking on organizations such as al-Shabaab.
“Somalia should engage in dialogue with its neighbors rather than distant countries in order to solve problems peacefully,” said Ugaas Ali, another elder, in support of regional communication.
He issued a warning about the influence of foreign organizations that might not be looking out for the best interests of the area.
Following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on January 1, 2024, between Ethiopia and Somaliland, which gave Ethiopia sea access in exchange for recognizing Somaliland, the meeting takes place amid escalating tensions in the Horn of Africa.
The situation has become more complex due to reports that Egypt has sent military officers and heavy equipment to Somalia. South West State Somali MPs have opposed the agreement between Egypt and Somalia, stating that it could result in a “dangerous situation” in the region.
In a statement, the MPs urged careful review of international agreements. Concerning agreements that might “bring the ‘Nile issue’ to Somalia” and possibly “lead to a war in the Horn of Africa,” they issued a warning.
Recently, Lafta-Gareen, the president of Somalia’s Southwest State, stated that Somalia must run its own affairs and opposed the use of “foreign military forces.” Lafta-Gareen “made it clear that his region would not accept the presence of Egyptian troops,” according to media reports.