Somalia has accused its neighbor Ethiopia of making illicit arms shipments into the country. Somali Foreign Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi said the alleged arms shipments pose a threat to Somalia’s security.
He urged Ethiopia to respect agreements and praised Turkey’s mediation efforts between the two countries.
A previous Somali Foreign Ministry statement said Ethiopia made unauthorized arms shipments to Puntland, a semiautonomous region in northeastern Somalia.
Documented evidence confirmed the arrival of two trucks transporting weapons from Ethiopia to Puntland without any diplomatic engagement or clearance.
The Somali government said this action constitutes a grave infringement on its sovereignty and poses serious implications for national and regional security.
Tensions between the two countries remain high due to Ethiopia’s sea access deal with the breakaway region of Somaliland. Turkey has been working to end tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia.
The UN has lauded Turkey’s efforts to resolve the tension, including talks hosted by Turkey this July and August.