MOGADISHU– Somalia Federal Government has rejected the statement by Executive Secretary of IGAD on the relations between Somalia and Ethiopia.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Foreign Affairs Ministry said that it expresses deep dissatisfaction and disappointment over the statement by the regional bloc and called for an apology.

The statement also added that the Federal government demands the withdrawal of the statement terming it biased and falls short of condemnation towards Ethiopia over its intention to encroach and interfere with the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia.

The Federal Government of #Somalia strongly opposes the recent statement from the Executive Secretary of #IGAD, deeming it biased towards the #Ethiopian Government. We call on the Executive Secretary to immediately apologize, withdraw the statement and take appropriate action. pic.twitter.com/1qnXPQb6od

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs ?? (@MOFASomalia) January 3, 2024

FGS urged the regional body to immediately take action against Ethiopia for attempts to infringe on the territorial integrity of Somalia contrary to the existing constitutive international and regional laws barring it from inflitrating into its soil.

IGAD Executive Secretary Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu, earlier on expressed deep concern over the recent developments between Ethiopia and Somalia, which he said could strain the brotherly relations between the two countries.

Statement of the IGAD Executive Secretary, @DrWorkneh, on the recent developments in relations between the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE) and the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS). ?https://t.co/PpkA7ZBZcs

— IGAD Secretariat (@IGADsecretariat) January 3, 2024

However, Somalia says the statement is siding with Ethiopia and underscores its commitment to regional peace and stability.