Somalia Orders Expulsion of Ethiopian Ambassador Mukhtar Mohamed Ware

Somalia has taken decisive action amid escalating tensions with Ethiopia, expelling Ethiopian Ambassador Mukhtar Mohamed Ware from Mogadishu.

The move, announced after a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Hamza Barre on Thursday, April 4, underscores the strained relations between the two neighboring countries, primarily over allegations of interference in internal affairs.

Effective immediately, Ambassador Ware’s expulsion reflects Somalia’s firm stance against perceived Ethiopian meddling. Additionally, Somalia has ordered the closure of Ethiopian consular offices in Hargeisa, the capital of Somaliland, and Garowe, Puntland.

This development follows Ethiopia’s purported continuation of interference, as indicated in dispatches from Prime Minister Hamza’s office.

The decision coincided with Puntland’s recent announcement of a new cooperation agreement with Addis Ababa. This agreement came shortly after Puntland’s withdrawal from Somalia’s federal system, asserting its intention to govern independently.

Tensions further escalated when Puntland rejected constitutional amendments despite federal parliamentary approval, highlighting the deepening divides within Somalia’s political landscape.

The expulsion of Ambassador Ware signifies a significant escalation in the longstanding disputes between Somalia and Ethiopia, particularly regarding the status of Somaliland.

Despite these tensions, Ethiopian troops have remained in Somalia under the African Union mission (AMISOM), underscoring the complexities of the diplomatic and military dynamics in the region.

As Somalia takes a firm stance against perceived external interference, the expulsion of the Ethiopian ambassador marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing disputes between the two countries, with implications for regional stability and diplomatic relations in the Horn of Africa.