JidbaaleMogadishu (Jidbaale): A group of renowned Somali religious clerics severely opposed Ethiopia’s recent Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the breakaway area, expressing their support for Somalia’s increasing connection with Egypt.
During a Sunday conference in Mogadishu, the clergy criticized what they saw as Ethiopia’s invasion in Somalia. They urged for a unified approach to rejecting the pact, adding that it is an obligation to fight such acts and prevent further intrusion.
“We cannot accept this violation of our country’s sovereignty by Ethiopia,” one preacher declared. “It is our religious duty to defend the independence and unity of Somalia.”
The clergy asked Somali nationals to stand united in defense of their nation, appealing for calm and recommending against promoting societal fractures. They also asked on the Somali government to foster an environment that increases dialogue among residents with diverse viewpoints to strengthen national unity.
The clerics complimented Egypt’s connection with Somalia, adding that Egypt has a history of beneficial cooperation with Somalia. They applauded Egypt’s expanding engagement, particularly as tensions between Ethiopia and Somalia continue to worsen.
The diplomatic tension between Somalia and Ethiopia arises from Ethiopia’s agreement to lease 20 kilometers of coastline from the breakaway Somaliland area in exchange for supporting its independence, a move that Mogadishu has condemned as unconstitutional.
The clerics finished by calling on Ethiopia to respect neighboring countries’ peaceful cohabitation and safeguard regional stability.
The ongoing conflict comes despite Egypt’s increasing connections with Somalia, a partnership that some observers perceive as an alignment against Ethiopia’s problematic activities in the Horn of Africa.
