Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud told reporters Ethiopian security forces tried to block his access to the AU summit (Michele Spatari)Somalia and Ethiopia, already at odds over a controversial maritime pact, locked horns again on Saturday over Somali claims that Ethiopian security forces tried to block President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud from accessing the African Union summit. But Ethiopia insisted Mohamud was warmly welcomed and said that the Somali delegation was blocked when its security detail tried to enter a venue with weapons. She said the Somalia delegation had declined the security offered by Ethiopia and tried to enter a venue with their weapons. "The Somali delegation security attempted to enter the AUC premises with weapons which was blocked off by AUC security." In return, Somaliland -- a former British protectorate -- has said Ethiopia would give it formal recognition, assertions not confirmed by Addis Ababa.

Source: Ethiopian News February 17, 2024 16:37 UTC