Somalia president lands in Uganda for ‘extraordinary’ IGAD summit on Ethiopia-Somalia tensions

Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud arrived in Kampala, Uganda, for an extraordinary session of the IGAD Heads of State and Government. The session, scheduled for January 18, 2024, is set to address the escalating tensions between Ethiopia and Somalia over a lease agreement with Somaliland.

Initial reports say President Hassan Sheikh will also attend the 19th Non-Aligned Movement Summit and is expected to proceed with his diplomatic efforts intended to invalidate the agreement between Somaliland and Ethiopia.

The meeting, announced by Djibouti’s President Ismail Omar Guelleh, aimed to de-escalate tension and to consider regional stability. However, the Ethiopian government issued an apology for its non-participation, citing short notice and scheduling conflicts.

Since the public disclosure of the memorandum of understanding between Hargeisa and Addis Ababa, Somalia has accused Ethiopia of violating its territorial integrity, urging the international community to invalidate the agreement