Somalia has given Ali Mohamed Aden, the leading Ethiopian diplomat, a 72-hour deadline to exit the country amid escalating tensions due to a seaport pact signed between Ethiopia and Somaliland.

According to a statement issued by Somalia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs on October 29, 2024, Ali Mohamed Aden, who serves as a consultant at the Ethiopian Embassy, has been engaging in activities that do not align with his diplomatic role.

The statement did not detail Ali’s specific actions beyond his diplomatic responsibilities, yet it indicated a breach of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. This convention mandates that diplomats comply with the host country’s laws and avoid engaging in its internal affairs.

The Ethiopian Foreign Minister has not commented on the diplomat’s expulsion. This follows Somalia’s earlier directive for the Ethiopian ambassador to Mogadishu, Mukhtar Mohamed Ware, to leave within 72 hours.

In addition to expelling the Ethiopian ambassador, Somalia has also summoned its own ambassador from Addis Ababa as a measure to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Meanwhile, the Ethiopian consulates in Hargeisa and Garowe remain operational despite the Somali government’s decision to close them within a week.

Tensions in the Horn of Africa are escalating, marked by conflicts between Ethiopia and Somalia, and between Egypt and Ethiopia. President Isaias is reinforcing alliances with Somalia and Egypt amid emerging disputes between Eritrea and Ethiopia.

Recently, the leaders of Egypt, Somalia, and Eritrea convened for a tripartite summit in Asmara, the capital of Eritrea. Amidst a protracted dispute with Ethiopia over the Great Renaissance Dam, Egypt has entered into a military cooperation agreement with Somalia, which has heightened tensions across the Horn of Africa.

Tensions have intensified amid reports of Egypt dispatching arms shipments to Somalia, subsequent to the seaport accord between Ethiopia and Somaliland, which has in response to recognize Somaliland as an independent state.