In a statement issued Tuesday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Somalia said Ali Mohamod Adan, who has been serving as counselor II in the Ethiopian embassy in Somalia, has been declared persona non grata and he is required to depart from Somalia within 72 hours.
The ministry said “Mohammod ‘s action constitutes a breach of Vienna convention on diplomatic relations (1961) particularly article 41 and 42 which mandate diplomats to respect the law of the host nation and abstain involvement in its internal affairs.â€
Somalia and Ethiopia have been involved in a heated diplomatic dispute since Addis Ababa signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Somaliland, a move Somalia sees as infringement on its sovereignty. Ethiopia and Somaliland defended the MOU. If implemented, it would give Somaliland recognition from landlocked Ethiopia in return for the leasing of 20 kilometers of seafront, according to Somaliland officials.
In April, Somalia expelled Ethiopian Ambassador Muktar Mohamed Ware, alleging “internal interference” by Ethiopia. Somalia also ordered the closure of Ethiopia’s consulates in Somaliland and Puntland, though they remained open.
Last month, Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, speaking at the U.N. General Assembly, urged the international community to stand with Somalia in condemning Ethiopia’s violations.
The ministry said the action is meant to safeguard national interests and uphold international diplomatic standards, underscoring Somalia’s commitment to sovereignty and adhering to international law.
MG/abj/APA
