Somalia has declared a senior Ethiopian diplomat persona non grata, citing actions that are deemed “incompatible” with his diplomatic status and violations of Somalia’s sovereignty. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Monday that Ali Mohamed Adan, Counselor II at the Ethiopian Embassy in Mogadishu, has been given 72 hours to leave the country. This expulsion highlights the escalating strain in the relationship between Somalia and Ethiopia, characterized by territorial disputes, changing alliances, and Somalia’s increasing assertiveness in managing its internal affairs.
The Ministry’s statement accused Adan of participating in activities outside the bounds of diplomacy. It referenced the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961), specifically Articles 41 and 42, which emphasize the necessity for diplomats to respect the host country’s laws and refrain from interference in its internal matters. The Ministry underscored that this decision demonstrates Somalia’s commitment to safeguarding its sovereignty and adhering to international law.
A senior Somali official, speaking anonymously, alleged that Adan, locally referred to as “Ali Tigre,” is suspected of being a colonel in Ethiopia’s military intelligence. The official asserted that Adan has misused his diplomatic position as a cover for clandestine operations, traveling across various regions in Somalia on undisclosed missions. “Ali Tigre’s activities here extend well beyond diplomatic norms,” the official stated, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.
Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not yet commented on these allegations.
The expulsion follows a recently signed memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Ethiopia and Somaliland, a region in northern Somalia that has sought independence since the 1990s. This contentious agreement purportedly grants Ethiopia access to Somaliland’s coastline in exchange for potential recognition of Somaliland’s independence, raising tensions with Mogadishu, which views the MoU as an infringement on its territorial integrity. Somali officials contend that this deal undermines Somalia’s sovereignty and questions Ethiopia’s neutrality as a peacekeeping ally.
In April, Somalia previously expelled Ethiopia’s ambassador and ordered the closure of its consulates in Somaliland and Puntland—two regions pursuing greater autonomy—over Ethiopia’s attempts for direct access to the Gulf of Aden.
Despite Somalia’s directives, Ethiopia’s consulates in these regions reportedly remain operational. In May, officials in Somaliland claimed that Ethiopia had elevated its consulate in Hargeisa to full embassy status, although this has not been officially confirmed by Ethiopia. The recent laying of a foundation stone for Somaliland’s new embassy in Addis Ababa in mid-October has further heightened tensions in the region. While this was celebrated by Somaliland as a significant diplomatic achievement, Ethiopia has not publicly addressed the establishment.
Somalia’s relationship with Ethiopia has long been complicated, tracing back to Ethiopia’s military intervention in Somalia in 2006, intended to support Somalia’s then-Transitional Federal Government against insurgent factions. This intervention allowed Ethiopia to establish a substantial presence in Somali affairs, symbolized by the location of Ethiopia’s embassy within Villa Somalia, Mogadishu’s presidential complex. Somali officials have suggested relocating this embassy in the future, reflecting their desire to reclaim control over national political symbols.
As the African Union prepares to initiate a new peacekeeping mission in Somalia, set to replace AMISOM by year’s end, Mogadishu is insisting on the exclusion of Ethiopian forces. Somali leaders argue that Ethiopia’s recent actions have compromised its neutrality, rendering it unsuitable for the new African Union Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). They stress the importance of having peacekeeping forces from nations without conflicting interests to ensure an impartial presence that aligns with Somalia’s long-term security and development objectives.
Egypt’s involvement in the regional dynamics has further complicated Somalia’s relations with Ethiopia. Recently, Egypt has provided military assistance to Somalia, which is perceived as an effort to counterbalance Ethiopia’s influence in the Horn of Africa. The longstanding dispute over the Nile River between Ethiopia and Egypt has intensified rivalries, with Egypt’s support for Somalia viewed by some as part of a broader strategy to check Ethiopia’s regional ambitions.
Ethiopian officials have expressed alarm over Egypt’s engagement, seeing it as a threat to their regional authority. Addis Ababa views Cairo’s backing of Mogadishu as an attempt to weaken Ethiopian influence and secure strategic footholds in the Horn of Africa.
The rising tensions have raised concerns among international observers. During a recent United Nations Security Council meeting, U.S. representative Robert Wood urged both Somalia and Ethiopia to pursue diplomatic solutions, warning that ongoing discord could destabilize the Horn of Africa and jeopardize collective security interests. Acting UN special representative to Somalia, James Swan, echoed this call, emphasizing the importance of adhering to international law and respecting national sovereignty.
At that same meeting, Somali Foreign Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi accused Ethiopia of using its counterterrorism efforts in Somalia as a pretext for territorial expansion. Fiqi alleged that Somali authorities intercepted unauthorized arms shipments from Ethiopia, purportedly intended to exacerbate local conflicts. In response, Ethiopian Foreign Minister Taye Atske-Selassie dismissed these claims as unfounded, asserting that Ethiopia’s presence in Somalia is strictly focused on regional security and economic collaboration, suggesting that Somalia’s allegations are a diversion from its internal issues.
Somalia’s actions against Ethiopian influence may have significant implications for regional alliances and power dynamics. The expulsion of Adan symbolizes a step toward reasserting national sovereignty and redefining Somalia’s role in the regional geopolitical landscape. As Somalia approaches the transition from AMISOM to AUSSOM, it views this as an opportunity to minimize foreign military influence from neighboring countries and enhance its independence. Somali leaders are advocating for the new mission to align with Somalia’s specific security requirements rather than the strategic agendas of neighboring states.
