Somalia has accused Ethiopia of interfering in its southern Jubaland region, escalating a dispute that has persisted for nearly a year. This latest development follows a controversial agreement reached in January between Ethiopia and Somaliland, Somalia’s breakaway region, which purportedly involves the leasing of a coastal area for a port and military base in exchange for recognition—a claim that remains unconfirmed by the Ethiopian government.

The geopolitical tension comes as Somalia, which is structured as a federation comprising five semi-autonomous member states—Puntland, Jubaland, Galmudug, Hirshabelle, and South West—faces internal challenges from its central authority in Mogadishu. Recently, Jubaland saw the re-election of former warlord Ahmed Madobe, a political move that has sparked discontent within the Somali central government, which had wished to synchronize local polls with upcoming nationwide elections.

On Friday, Somalia’s Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism issued a statement alleging that Ethiopian forces were advancing towards the Bulohawo district in Gedo, southern Somalia. This move purportedly triggered a response from local communities and the Somali armed forces, who managed to halt the Ethiopian advance.

The Somali government strongly condemned what it described as “damning acts” by Ethiopia, asserting that such actions threaten to sow discord among local clans and undermine the country’s sovereignty. In the statement, officials characterized these maneuvers as part of a broader pattern of interference by Addis Ababa, declaring Somalia’s intention to defend its independence and sovereignty while expressing a willingness for peaceful coexistence.

Furthermore, Somalia has called on the international community to denounce the alleged Ethiopian military movements, framing them as a potential catalyst for renewed conflict in an already volatile region. Despite the serious accusations made by Somalia, the Ethiopian government has remained silent thus far, with no official response to the situation reported. Efforts to obtain comments from Ethiopian authorities have been initiated, yet the controversy surrounding this geopolitical rift continues to unfold.