Somalia called on the Arab foreign ministers to "unite and stand together" to "Ethiopia's plan" to control the entrances to the Red Sea.
Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre asserted that the "Somaliland" region is "an integral part of the Federal Republic of Somalia."
Speaking at the extraordinary session of the Arab League at the ministerial level, Barre denounced the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Somaliland and Ethiopia.
He described the deal as "illegal" and a "flagrant violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia, the principles of international law, and good-neighborly relations."
On Jan. 01, Somaliland signed a deal with Ethiopia, granting Addis Ababa a lease for sea access to over 20 km for 50 years.
Somaliland, a former British protectorate, declared independence from Somalia in 1991, but the move was not recognized internationally.
The Mogadishu government said it would address this agreement by all legal means, denouncing the "a blatant violation of its sovereignty."
Barre rejected Ethiopia's "illegal" move, saying his country vehemently denied the deal, which threatens Somalia's national interests, sovereignty, and unity and constitutes a direct threat to Arab national security and navigation in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
He warned that the Ethiopian move was a well-thought-out plan that exacerbated the situation in the Bab al-Mandab Strait and portended dire consequences for Arab countries, which required unity to activate the mechanisms of joint Arab action.
The PM urged ministers to take serious steps to confront interference in Arab affairs and respect countries' sovereignty and international laws.
He warned that Ethiopia aims to create a new demographic reality in the region by implementing a dangerous plan to control the entrances to the Red Sea and harm global trade and navigation.
Somalia "is looking forward to Arab support for its position rejecting this step," said the premier, reiterating that "Somalia will not accept" any encroachment on its territory.
For his part, Arab League Sec-Gen Ahmed Aboul Gheit denounced the agreement between Ethiopia and the Somaliland region, saying it was "a blatant coup against stable Arab, African and international principles, and a clear violation of international law and applicable international agreements."
He stressed the rejection of any agreements or memorandums of understanding that violate or violate the sovereignty of the Somali state."
Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry called on respecting Somalia's sovereignty and territorial integrity, warning against "Ethiopia's unilateral policies that violate international law and principles of good neighborliness."
Shoukry asserted Arab readiness to provide Somalia with the necessary support at the official and popular levels.
The Minister highlighted Egypt's previous warnings against the dangers of Ethiopia's unilateral policies that aim to impose a fait accompli without regard for the interests of African governments and peoples.
Shoukry indicated that signing an agreement on access to the Red Sea between Ethiopia and the Somaliland region validates the Egyptian perspective on the adverse impact of such actions and policies on regional stability.
He also expressed Egypt's full support for Somalia, calling on all Arab and international parties to fulfill their responsibility and express respect for Somalia's sovereignty and territorial integrity in line with the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter.
The "landlocked" Ethiopia seeks to secure sea access that it has been deprived of for 30 years after Eritrea's independence in 1993.
The East African Intergovernmental Development Authority (IGAD) is scheduled to hold an extraordinary Thursday meeting in Uganda to discuss tensions between Ethiopia and Somalia.
It called on the US, the EU, the UK, the African Union, the Arab League, and Türkiye to respect Somalia's sovereignty.
