Somali Government Accuses Ethiopia of Provoking Conflict at Gedo Border, Diplomatic Tensions Surge
The Federal Government of Somalia has strongly condemned Ethiopia for alleged illegal border crossing in the Gedo region, escalating tensions between the two neighboring countries.
In a press release issued Friday, the Somali government accused Ethiopian troops of deliberately attempting to provoke conflict among local communities. According to the statement, Ethiopian forces from Doolow district advanced towards Bulo Xawo district early Friday morning but were confronted by local residents.
The government’s statement emphasized Somalia’s commitment to peaceful coexistence while criticizing the “Addis Ababa administration” for consistently creating regional instability and undermining Somali sovereignty.
This latest incident follows recent diplomatic friction stemming from an agreement between Ethiopia and Somaliland in early 2024, which granted Ethiopia access to strategic Red Sea waterways and a military base. Somalia had previously rejected Ethiopia’s participation in the African Union’s ATMIS (African Union Transition Mission in Somalia) mission.
The current situation is further complicated by tensions between Jubaland’s regional administration and the Federal Government, with reports suggesting Ethiopian support for Ahmed Mohamed Islam’s third-term election as Jubaland’s president.
