MOGADISHU (SD) -The Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Abiy Ahmed, today appeared before the Ethiopian House of Representatives and responded to questions posed by the representatives regarding the recent maritime agreement between Ethiopia and Somaliland.

Abiy Ahmed stated that the Ethiopian government never intends to engage in conflict with Somalia. He blamed unnamed countries seeking to foment discord and conflict between Ethiopia and Somalia.

Furthermore, Abiy Ahmed highlighted that several thousand Ethiopian soldiers sacrificed their lives to bring peace to the people of Somalia, as part of the African Union Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), stationed in Somalia.

Additionally, Abiy Ahmed stressed Ethiopia’s commitment to Somalia’s unity and reiterated that his government never intends to undermine Somalia’s sovereignty or interfere in its internal affairs, highlighting Ethiopia’s longstanding support for Somalia and its people.

Abiy Ahmed also claimed that most Somalis outside of Somalia live in Ethiopia.

Today’s remarks by Abiy Ahmed before the Ethiopian Parliament come at a time when tensions between Ethiopia and Somalia are at their peak, following the recent maritime agreement between Ethiopia and Somaliland, a deal that has been strongly opposed by the Somali government and several other countries worldwide.