The African Union and the United States have jointly appealed for calm in the Horn of Africa due to heightened tensions triggered by a disputed agreement between Ethiopia and Somaliland.

The contested deal, signed on Monday, grants Ethiopia access to the Red Sea through Somaliland, sparking vehement opposition from Somalia, which deemed it an “aggression” and a “blatant assault” on its sovereignty.

AU Commission chair Moussa Faki Mahamat issued a statement, calling for “calm and mutual respect to de-escalate the simmering tension” between Ethiopia and Somalia. 

Stressing the urgency of a negotiation process to resolve differences, Faki urged the nations to avoid actions that could inadvertently escalate hostilities, emphasizing the imperative to respect the unity, territorial integrity, and sovereignty of AU member states.

Faki’s statement read, “He stresses the imperative to respect unity, territorial integrity and full sovereignty of all African Union member states.” The AU’s intervention underscores the regional importance of maintaining stability in the Horn of Africa.

In parallel, the United States echoed these sentiments, rejecting international recognition for the separatist region of Somaliland and emphasizing the need for diplomatic dialogue. 

State Department spokesman Matthew Miller stated, “The United States recognizes the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia within its 1960 borders.” He expressed serious concerns about the escalating tensions and urged all stakeholders to engage in diplomatic dialogue.

The wide-ranging deal signed in Addis Ababa provides Ethiopia with access to commercial maritime services and a military base, with Somaliland leasing 20 kilometers of coastline for 50 years. 

Somaliland’s President, Muse Bihi Abdi, suggested that Ethiopia would “fully recognize” Somaliland in exchange, although this has yet to be confirmed by Addis Ababa.