Dear President Muse Bihi and PM Abiy Ahmed,

Don’t drive to disaster when you can’t fix it  – There is always one or another way both parts can gian better solution, the solution that will not jeaporize Somaliland’s search for recognition, the solution that will allow Ethopia to access the need, However, you two decided to continue and now your actions have heralded yet another unnecessary geopolitical tussle. When you signed the controversial MoU on January 1, you ushered the Horn of Africa region into a tumultuous year which has only served to weaken the collective stability of the region but also created more faultlines in the respective countries.

When you took over as Prime Minister, you replaced desperation with hope and a sense of relief and freshness was palpable in Ethiopia. Alas! You even won a Nobel Prize. But all that was to vanish like a dream as you ventured into destructive politics of division, and discrimination and subsequently launched into a deadly war with the TPLF in the Tigray region. Hope dissipated among Ethiopians both at home and abroad as insurrections and turmoil soon swelled across the land. You were soon on the way to become the most reviled leader in the region. You needed a reset and revisit more on your strategies  but instead, you projected and extended the wrongdoings  into Somalia in the hope of whipping public opinion in your favour.

Interestingly, while you were battling fires left right and centre in your country, President Muse Bihi was also orchestrating a deadly war in Las-Anod town in Sool region which claimed hundreds of lives. Like your friend in arms across the border, you, President Bihi thought not of building bridges after the storm but decided to dig further. You inked the January 1 deal and the prospects for stability and mutual relations went aflame. The reality is you have chosen to close your eyes and ears to the implications of the illegal MoU

The MoU has excited nationalistic tendencies in both Ethiopia and Somalia bringing to memory a  dark history of bloodshed and animosity between the two countries. While Somalia has maintained it will not allow an inch of its territory to be occupied by Ethiopians under the framework of the MoU, you have stood your ground and continued agitating for ‘by all means’ approach to access Somalia’s territory. History is rife with examples of the outcome of such agitation. The Horn of Africa has had enough of its share in terms of conflicts and state instability. We cannot afford more of that! If anything, this generation aspires to co-exist peacefully, right the wrongs of generations before and forge a progressive and prosperous future where Ethiopians and Somalis can embrace as neighbours and brothers. Somalia and the breakaway Somaliland have their internal issues to address and would better be doing so when not fighting an external aggressor.

Going forward, we must strive to find a solution to the challenge you two leaders have created.The Somaliland is not recognized yet, meaning,the Federal Government, which is the highest and ultimate authority on all matters concerning the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Federal Republic of Somalia has stated categorically that the MoU is null, void and inconsequential, that means any discussions around the MoU do not find a place in any potential solutions.  That said, the FGS has also indicated it does not have a problem granting Ethiopia access to any seaport in Somalia if such a need is executed within the framework of the law.

It would therefore be prudent for you Prime Minister Abiy to take advantage of this not-applicable offer and recreate your approach for a secure and legal deal. It will serve Ethiopia a great deal to be at peace with Somalia and vice versa given the huge potential the two countries portend.

For President Bihi,find the solution not the choes, being the centre that connects and create better lives for both Breakway Somaliland, Somalia and Ethopia.

          Abdirahman Yusuf Ali is Socail and Peace actvisit run social activisim plaform of Uistaag Dadka iyo Dalka