Somalia Declares "Neutrality" Amid Ethiopia-Eritrea Tensions

Somalia's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hassan Mohamed Ali, stated that his country maintains a "neutral" stance regarding the ongoing tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea. This clarification follows Somalia's participation in the El Alamein summit alongside Egypt, Sudan, and Eritrea, where a joint declaration was issued touching on regional security, the Nile River, and Red Sea issues. The Deputy Minister emphasized that Somalia holds historical, geographical, and religious ties with all involved nations and seeks to avoid further conflict. He reaffirmed that Somalia's foreign policy is focused on protecting its national interests while promoting regional stability. Despite speculation that the four-nation alliance opposes Ethiopian interests, the official maintained that Somalia's relations with all neighboring countries remain unchanged.