MOGADISHU (Kaab TV) – The Somali Ministry of Foreign Affairs has declared Mr. Ali Mohamed Adan, a Counselor at the Ethiopian Embassy in Mogadishu, persona non grata, citing actions that breach his diplomatic obligations.
According to a press release issued on October 29, Mr. Adan has been given 72 hours to leave Somalia following accusations of “engaging in activities incompatible with his role”.
The Ministry stated that these actions violate the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, specifically Articles 41 and 42, which require diplomats to respect the host nation’s laws and refrain from interfering in its internal affairs.
The Somalia Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not give any details of the accusations. The Ethiopian government did not yet responded to these accusations.
Mr. Ali Mohamed Adan, a Counselor at the Ethiopian Embassy in Mogadishu is Ethiopian-Somali who has been serving in the diplomatic mission for years now.
This diplomatic move highlights Somalia’s resolve to protect its sovereignty and maintain international standards, as emphasized by the Ministry in its statement.
Mr. Adan’s expulsion adds to the already strained relationship between Somalia and Ethiopia, which has seen heightened tensions since early 2024.
The rift between the two countries intensified on January 1, 2024, when Ethiopia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Somaliland, granting Ethiopia access to the Red Sea via Somaliland ports.
Somalia’s federal government objected strongly to the agreement, viewing it as an infringement on its territorial integrity. However, it did not manage to stop it as the weak government does not control over the Somaliland.
Somaliland, an autonomous region seeking international recognition, has separately negotiated trade and security agreements without Somalia’s consent, further complicating the relationship.