Djibouti(Mogadishu24)-Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) on Wednesday expressed deep concern regarding to worsening diplomatic row between the Federal Government of Somalia and Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia in the past two days.

“The Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu expresses deep concern regarding recent developments in relations between the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE) and the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS).  IGAD is diligently monitoring the situation and recognises the potential implications for regional stability“, IGAD said in a statement.

The statement said that the Executive Secretary urged IGAD leaders to be seized, and appeals to the two sisterly countries to collaborate towards a peaceful and amicable resolution of the situation, upholding the shared values that unite the IGAD family.

“IGAD remains steadfast in its commitment to promoting peace, stability, cooperation, and regional integration”, added the statement.

The IGAD became the second after European Union to comment on worsening diplomatic situation between the two neighboring countries, but IGAD did not clarify its stance as EU did and did not mention the respect of Somalia’s sovereignty at all.

This comes a day after Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Somaliland President Musa Bihi Abdi signed a Memorandum of Understanding on granting Ethiopia access to the sea on January 1st, a move that the Federal Government of Somalia termed as illegal and a violation against its sovereignty and recalled its Ambassador to Ethiopia.