Somalia’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, has confirmed that the Ethiopian Embassy, currently situated within the Somali Presidential Palace, will remain there temporarily, despite rising concerns from the Somali government.
Ethiopia established its embassy in Villa Somalia after its military intervention in Mogadishu in December 2006, aimed at supporting the Somali Transitional Federal Government (TFG) in its fight against insurgent groups, such as the Islamic Courts Union (ICU).
Although the Somali government is not pleased with the embassy’s location within such a sensitive complex, Fiqi explained that relocating it at this time could have diplomatic consequences. This includes potential repercussions for Somalia’s embassy in Ethiopia, which is also located in a crucial area.
“The Ethiopian Embassy was placed in the Presidential Palace with the approval of Somalia’s leadership in 2007, following Ethiopia’s intervention. Its future relocation depends on Somalia’s stabilization, and once conditions are favorable, all foreign embassies will be directed to move to designated areas,” Fiqi clarified.
Fiqi also disclosed that the Somali government is considering taking “decisive actions” if Ethiopia fails to cancel its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the self-declared independent region of Somaliland. This MoU has raised concerns about Somalia’s sovereignty. One potential measure could include the withdrawal of Ethiopian troops from Somalia by January 1st.