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President Yoweri Museveni has received regional leaders ahead of the 42nd extraordinary session of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) assembly of heads of state and government on Thursday. 

They include Presidents Salva Kiir (South Sudan), Ismail Omar Guelleh (Djibouti), Hassan Sheikh Mohamud (Somalia), and William Ruto (Kenya).

President Salva Kiir of South Sudan.

President William Ruto of Kenya (2nd left).

President Ismail Omar Guelleh of Djibouti (Blue suit). (File/PPU)

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia. (File)

Museveni received them at State House Entebbe amid regional tensions after landlocked Ethiopia sealed a deal with Somaliland on January 1, 2024, that gives it access to the sea.

“There is no space for mediation unless Ethiopia retracts its illegal MOU (memorandum of understanding) and reaffirms the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia,” Somalia’s foreign ministry said in a statement it posted on its official social media accounts on Thursday.

On January 3, 2024, the executive secretary of IGAD, Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu, expressed deep concern regarding recent developments in relations between Ethiopia and Somalia.

“IGAD is diligently monitoring the situation and recognises the potential implications for regional stability,” he said in a statement.

Given the circumstances, Gebeyehu urged “IGAD leaders to be seized” and appealed 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,” he said.