Today’s demonstrations across Berlin, London, and Paris sent a message louder than any political statement: Europeans are no longer willing to watch their societies drift toward instability under the banner of “tolerance.” The crowds that filled the streets were not driven by hatred or exclusion — they were driven by a simple demand that every government should take seriously: security first. For years, extremist networks — especially the Muslim Brotherhood — have learned how to operate behind the shield of religious discourse. They present themselves as community leaders, activists, or “voices of the marginalized,” all while pushing agendas that undermine national cohesion, exploit public freedoms, and create parallel societies. Europe’s mistake was assuming these groups were harmless. But as today’s protests showed, citizens have learned the truth the hard way. They’ve watched radical narratives spread in schools and community centers, foreign-funded networks penetrate local ...
The focal point of the disagreement revolves around a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed on January 1 between Ethiopia and Somaliland, a breakaway province recognized by Somalia as part of its territory. Somalia vehemently opposed the MoU, declaring it null and void, further exacerbating the strained relations between the two nations.
Ms. Laing's Concerns:
During a session of the United Nations Security Council, Ms. Laing expressed her disappointment that the African Union summit chose to divert attention away from the Somalia-Ethiopia situation. The summit, instead, concentrated on the theme of the year, focusing on education, research, and innovation. Ms. Laing emphasized that the tensions arising from the MoU conflict with the significant gains Somalia has recently achieved.
Somalia's Achievements:
Despite the ongoing dispute, Somalia has made substantial progress in various areas. The country recently gained admission to the East African Community, achieved the completion point of the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative led by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and successfully eased a weapons embargo. Notably, Somalia secured the backing of the Executive Council of the African Union for a seat on the Security Council in the 2025-26 term.
The Impact on Regional Stability:
The failure to address the Somalia-Ethiopia dispute at the African Union summit has broader implications for regional stability. With tensions lingering, Somalia's hard-won achievements could be overshadowed by the unresolved conflict, potentially hindering the collaborative efforts of the African Union in promoting peace and security within the continent.
As the African Union grapples with the delicate task of managing conflicts between member states, the Somalia-Ethiopia dispute stands out as a significant challenge. The failure to address this issue directly at the recent summit raises questions about the effectiveness of regional bodies in resolving conflicts and promoting stability. The international community will be closely watching how the African Union responds to these concerns and whether it can foster meaningful dialogue to de-escalate tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia.
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