By Goth Mohamed Goth
MOGADISHU – The Somali government has publicly defended the Arab League following strong criticisms from Ethiopia, highlighting a delicate diplomatic rift between the Horn of Africa neighbors.
The remarks from Somalia’s Defense Minister, Ahmed Maallin Fiqi, come in direct response to accusations made by Ethiopia’s Ambassador to Somalia, Suleyman Dedefo. Ambassador Dedefo had alleged that the Arab League acts as a political instrument for Egypt’s foreign policy and consistently biases against Ethiopia in the ongoing dispute over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Nile River.
Minister Fiqi countered these claims, emphasizing the organization’s positive role. “Somalia is an important member of the Arab League and is grateful for its consistent support,” Fiqi stated. “Its purpose is to strengthen the unity and cooperation of its member states and to safeguard their sovereignty.”
He specifically highlighted the value Somalia places on the Arab League’s support for its ongoing state-building and reconstruction efforts.
The Ethiopian ambassador’s initial critique was pointed. He accused the Cairo-based league of opposing Ethiopia’s stance on the Nile while ignoring human rights issues within its member states. Dedefo also dismissed Egypt’s concerns regarding the GERD’s impact on its water security as “baseless,” asserting that Ethiopia would continue constructing new dams.
“The efforts by Egypt to hinder Ethiopia’s development have already failed,” Ambassador Dedefo said.
The Arab League recently issued a statement criticizing Ethiopia’s continued construction of the massive dam without a legally binding agreement on water sharing with downstream nations Egypt and Sudan. Egypt views the project as an existential threat to its water supply, while Ethiopia maintains it is a sovereign right essential for its development and electrification.
The exchange underscores Somalia’s challenging diplomatic position. As a member of the Arab League, it maintains close ties with Egypt and other Arab states. Simultaneously, it shares a long border and complex history with Ethiopia, making a balancing act necessary to preserve its relationships with both sides.
