Kampala, Uganda(Mogadishu24)- U.S. Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, Ambassador Mike Hammer on Friday reiterated that the United States of America recognized the Federal Republic of Somalia’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity, which includes Somaliland.

Ambassador Hammer said this during his speech at the 42nd IGAD Exta-ordinary Summit held in Kampala, Uganda that was focussing on the tension between the Ethiopia and Somalia following the MoU with Somaliland, leasing sea access to Ethiopia on January 1st.

” The United States recognizes the Federal Republic of Somalia’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity, which includes Somaliland. We believe the status of Somaliland is an issue for Somalis, including Somalilanders, to decide”, he said.

U.S. Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Ambassador Mike Hammer said that the mounting tensions over MoU threatens to disrupt the fight against Al-Shabaab, urging Somalia and Ethiopia to avoid actions that could create opportunities of Al-Shabaab to expand its reach.

“We are particularly concerned that the increase in tensions over the Memorandum of Understanding threatens to disrupt the fight that Somalis, along with Africans and regional and international partners – including the United States – are waging against al-Shabaab. …We urge [Somalia and Ethiopia] to avoid precipitous actions… that could create opportunities for al-Shabaab to expand its reach…”, he added.