Who is Actually Guilty of Annexation – Ethiopia or Somalia?
The government of Somalia, led by the bewildered leader Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud, who unexpectedly returned to Mogadishu on February 17, 2024 from the 37th Ordinary Session of Heads of State of the African Union which is still in session until February 18 put out a press release accusing Ethiopia of annexing a portion of Somalia.
The international media took notice of this story, and lengthy pieces about it were carried by several news outlets as breaking news.
Many prominent people in Ethiopia and throughout the African continent responded to the president of Somalia’s troubled words with corrective remarks.
Birhanu M Lenjiso (PhD), Member of Parliament & State Minister for Irrigation Development Projects, wrote in his X handler (formerly known as Twitter) regarding the very confusing “annexation outcry” from Somalia authorities, my first question is whether we have the same meaning of the term annexation.
He continued to say; “As far as I am concerned annexation stands for the act of taking a territory, land or a country, usually by force or without the permission of its people”.
In this case in question, Ethiopia has signed an agreement with a competent authority in Somaliland to lease a sea shore. Somalia itself is guilty of falsely claiming Somaliland as part of Somalia and trying to annex it. Look at this case from Somaliland perspective, Somalia is in a race of annexing Somaliland.
Somalia must be truthful with herself with the facts and circumstances that exist on the ground.. Since 1986, no head of state from Somalia has set foot on territory under Somaliland jurisdiction. This is because a law in Somaliland forbids any official from entering Somalia, including the president.
Kungu Al-mahadi Adam -Ugandan Journalist and Next Media Talkshow host – wrote the following in his X handler citing historical facts:
“Somaliland has never been part of a country called Somalia. It is actually the 12th African nation to become independent from the colonial rule with an official Royal Proclamation of her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, meaning Somaliland became independent way before 42 African countries.
In fact, soon after Somaliland independence from the British rule on June 26, 1960, 34 countries recognized it as an independent state, including members of the United Nations (UN) Security Council, but after only 5 days, the people of Somaliland voluntarily decided to unite with their neighbor, Somalia which had just got independence from Italy, to create the Somali Republic – a union deemed illegal as it was never formally ratified as law.
Then, on the 20th of June 1961, a referendum was held to cement the constitution of the Somali Republic. However, the people of Somaliland rejected overwhelmingly with major cities in Somaliland like Hargeisa, Burao, Berbera, and Erigavo, all opposed with 70% plus rejection.
From May 1991, Somaliland has been independent and is considered one of the most successful nations on many fronts, including democracy. The country has its own flag, currency, passport, government system, public institutions, and national army, which fully controls its territory.
It is considered the most democratic and politically stable nation in East and Central Africa, according to Freedom House.”