Mofa Statement

Newsletter 15

Press Statement

On the Current Situation in Somalia /June 2006/

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia wishes to point out the following with respect to the latest and on-going developments in Somalia:

1. Ethiopia has absolutely nothing to do with the latest fighting in Mogadiscio and other towns between the militias of the warlords and the Islamic Courts Union, and it has had no role at whatever stage of the crisis, from the beginning up until now.
2. At present, while Ethiopian troops are carefully monitoring the situation along our border with Somalia with great vigilance, there are no Ethiopian troops within Somalia.
3. The Developing situation inside Somalia has demanded the very close attention of Ethiopia. From Belet Huen, a Somali town close to the Ethiopian border, extremists whose agenda has nothing to do with peace and stability have been engaging in provocative activities against Ethiopia. That has demanded Ethiopia's vigilance and close monitoring of the situation.
4. Ethiopia has no separate agenda in Somalia. Ethiopia's objectives in Somalia, at this critical time for the people of Somalia, are those same objectives it shares with IGAD Member States and the AU.

Somalia has a legitimate government and that government is the Transitional Federal Government whose present seat is Baidoa. Ethiopia is convinced that the Transitional Federal Institutions of Somalia need to be protected and supported. This is the decision of IGAD and AU Summits. This is also the responsibility of the international community. It should be emphasized that Ethiopia is determined to carry out its responsibilities in this regard.

We are confident that the international community particularly partners and donors will continue supporting the Ethiopian government in its effort to make poverty history and deepen democracy in Ethiopia.