Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – The Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expressed dismay over allegations made by the Somali Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding an incident in the town of Dolow, Somalia. The statement, issued on December 24, 2024, firmly denies accusations of Ethiopian forces being involved in attacks on Somali security facilities, calling the claims untrue.
Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs attributed the incident to “third parties” intent on destabilizing the Horn of Africa and undermining the normalization of relations between Ethiopia and Somalia. The ministry emphasized that such actions aim to derail the peace efforts expressed in the Ankara Declaration, a key agreement guiding the two nations toward closer cooperation and stability.
The Ethiopian government reiterated its commitment to working collaboratively with Somali authorities to prevent similar incidents in the future. The statement reaffirmed Ethiopia’s dedication to revitalizing and deepening its fraternal relations with Somalia, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the principles of the Ankara Declaration.
“Ethiopia values and upholds its commitment to revitalizing and deepening the fraternal relations between the two countries in the spirit of the Ankara Declaration,” the statement read. The ministry also stressed the resolve of Ethiopian and Somali leaders to bolster their bilateral partnership and broader regional cooperation.
The Ethiopian government highlighted its continued efforts to support peace and stability in the Horn of Africa and called on both countries to remain vigilant against external forces seeking to destabilize the region.
This statement comes amid escalating tensions following recent claims from the Somali government about attacks in Dolow. Both nations face mounting pressure to de-escalate tensions and reinforce their diplomatic ties to prevent further instability in the region.