UN special envoy visits Ethiopia

UN special envoy visits Ethiopia

As political tension between Ethiopia and neighboring Somalia mounts, the State Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, Ambassador Mesganu Arga, met today with Hanna Tetteh, UN Special Envoy to the Horn of Africa.

The discussion between the two sides covered issues ranging from the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), current affairs, bilateral and multilateral issues of common concern, as well as issues of regional peace and security, according to the information from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, which didn’t mention the recent diplomatic clashes between Ethiopia and Somalia.

“Ambassador Mesganu said that the Ethiopian Government is committed to regional economic integration and doing well with Djibouti, Kenya, Sudan, South Sudan, and other countries in different sectors. According to Ambassador Mesganu Arga, the Ethiopian Government considers economic integration a key enabler of regional peace and stability,” the Ministry said.

It is also stated that the discussion between the two sides covered the current affairs of Sudan and regional peace and security issues.

It is recalled that dispute between Ethiopia and Somalia began a bout a week ago after the former and Somaliland, which has not yet got recognition as independent state, signed a memorandum of understanding that will enable Ethiopia to have access to the Red Sea.

Following that the federal government of Somalia has opposed indicating the act as violation of its sovereignty because it still considers Somaliland as part of its territory.