Addis Ababa, 3 January 2024 : The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union, H.E Moussa Faki Mahamat, has been closely following the tension resulting from signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between Ethiopia and the region of  Somalia (Somaliland).

The Chairperson calls for calm and mutual respect to de-escalate the simmering tension between the Governments of *the* Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Federal Republic of Somalia. In this regard, *he* urges the two countries to refrain from any action that unintentionally, may lead to a deterioration of the good relations between the two neighbouring Eastern African countries.

The Chairperson stresses the imperative to respect unity, territorial integrity and full sovereignty of all African Union member states including the Federal Republic of Somalia and the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.

Furthermore, the Chairperson underscores the importance of adhering to the norms of good neighbourliness to promote and consolidate peace, security and stability in the Horn of Africa region.

He urges the two *brotherly* countries to engage without delay in a negotiation process to settle their differences in  the most constructive, peaceful and collaborative manner *in order to* consolidate and deepen their cooperation to serve peace and security in the region.

He reaffirms that the African Union will stand strongly *on* their side to encourage an African solution to this new tension.