PEACE AND SECURITY COUNCIL
1192ND MEETING
17 JANUARY 2024
ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA
PSC/PR/BR.1192 (2024)
PRESS STATEMENT
The Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU), at its 1192nd meeting held on 17 January 2024, considered the situation between the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Federal Republic of Somalia.
Council took note of the briefings by H.E. Ambassador Abdullalie Warfa, Permanent Representative of the Federal Republic of Somalia to the AU and H.E. Ambassador Ayele Lire, Permanent Representative of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to the AU.
Council expressed deep concern over the ongoing tension between the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Federal Republic of Somalia, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Ethiopia and the northern region of Somalia (Somaliland) on 1 January 2024 and its potential adverse impact on peace, security and stability of the region.
Council welcomed the statement by H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the AU Commission, issued on 3 January 2024, stressing the imperative to respect the unity, territorial integrity and sovereignty of all AU Member States, including the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Federal Republic of Somalia.
Council, in line with Article 4 of the AU Constitutive Act and Article 4 of the Protocol Relating to the Establishment of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union, as well as the Charter of the United Nations, unequivocally reaffirmed its strong commitment and support for preserving the unity, territorial integrity, independence and sovereignty of all Member States, including those of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Federal Republic of Somalia.
Council called on the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Federal Republic of Somalia to adhere to and be guided by the core principles of the AU and international law in their bilateral and international relations.
Council also urged external actors to abide by the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of the two AU Member States.
Council encouraged the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Federal Republic of Somalia to refrain from further actions and pronouncements that could negatively impact the strong bonds of good neighbourliness, friendship and solidarity existing between them.
In this regard, Council called on the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Federal Republic of Somalia to exercise restraint, de-escalate and engage in meaningful dialogue towards finding a peaceful resolution of the matter, in the spirit of African solutions to African problems.
Council welcomed the deployment of the AU High Representative for the Horn of Africa, H.E. Olusegun Obasanjo, former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, by the Chairperson of the AU Commission, to foster dialogue between the two countries and provide regular updates to the Council.
Council welcomed the convening of the Extraordinary Summit of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) in Kampala, Republic of Uganda, scheduled for 18 January 2024 and looks forward to its outcome.
Council agreed to remain actively seized of the matter.
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