Somalia President says Eritrea Supports Somalia’s Sovereignty

Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said that his Eritrean counterpart Isaias Afwerki has supported Mogadishu’s unity and territorial integrity as tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia over a port deal continue.

The President, who has been in Asmara, the administrative city of Eritrea for a two-day state visit, said he briefed his counterpart about the situation in Somalia. According to a statement issued by the Eritrean Information Ministry on Tuesday, the two leaders also held talks on bilateral, regional and regional issues.

His visit to Eritrea comes nine days after Ethiopia signed a sea access deal with Somaliland which Somalia strongly rejected, calling it “illegitimate,” a threat to good neighborliness and a violation of its sovereignty. It also recalled its ambassador to Ethiopia after the deal was announced.

However, Somaliland and Ethiopia governments defended the deal and called on the international community to respect it. Ethiopia said the deal will affect no party or country.