The Somali diaspora community in Maine convened a meeting on Jan. 19 to address the growing concerns of the Somali people, and we express our collective stance on the violations committed by the Ethiopian regime.

We categorically oppose the actions taken by the Ethiopian regime against Somali sovereignty and territorial integrity. We reject any attempts, be it through force or intrigue, to annex Somali land, air and waters. These are sacred and cannot be relinquished to another government.

Our stance is a firm rejection of Ethiopian threats against Somali civilians and the unwarranted plan to displace Somalis, replacing them with Ethiopians in Somali territories. We call on the Ethiopian regime to refrain from intervening in Somali internal affairs and harassing federal members states.

We warn Ethiopia to preserve stability in the Horn of Africa and promote peaceful co-existence among the region’s people.

We strongly support the decisions made by the Somali government to counter the aggression of the Ethiopian regime violating Somali sovereignty. We endorse the use of all available means to protect Somali land, people and religion. We recommend uniting all Somali people against Ethiopian aggression and urge careful consideration of military collaborations and potential consequences.

Our united position calls for the removal of all Ethiopian military forces from Somali soil and the invalidation of existing military treaties with the Ethiopian regime.

We advise Somaliland to consider the consequences of relinquishing land inherited from Somali forefathers and encourage continued constructive dialogues between Somalia and Somaliland.

As Somali-American citizens, we appeal to the president and the United States government to exert consistent pressure on the Ethiopian regime. We demand assistance for Somalia to present its case against Ethiopia to the United Nations Security Council for openly violating sovereignty.

We call for sanctions against the Ethiopian regime for violating international treaties and causing instability in the Horn and Gulf of Aden regions. We affirm our unity to adhering to the decisions of the Somali government in this matter.

We express appreciation for the strong stand of the U.S. government in supporting the observance of Somali people’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Congratulations to the Somali people for resisting the Ethiopian regime’s ambitions to annex Somali waters in the Red Sea. We urge all Somalis, both inside and outside the country, to contribute to the defense of the nation through funding, intellect, and sacrifice.

We call on Somali diaspora communities worldwide to convey homeland concerns to host nations and express discontent by holding rallies in front of Ethiopian embassies. Traditional leaders, community elders, and religious clerics are urged to reconcile differences and lead communities against divisive Ethiopian policies.

We welcome constructive dialogues between the federal government and member states to stand united against nations endangering Somali sovereignty. Intellectuals are commended for contributing knowledge to defend the Somali nation, refraining from local divisiveness.

We align ourselves with the general will of the Somali people, rejecting the unlawful agreement between the Ethiopian regime and the local Somaliland administration.

We support:

• Somali’s territorial integrity is non-negotiable;
• Somali’s sovereignty is non-negotiable;
• Somali waters are not for sale;
• Somali’s historical enemy cannot be considered a brotherly friend;
• The federal government can only sign a treaty with foreign entities;
• The nation’s defense capabilities are collective wars of media, diplomacy, intelligence and military power;
• Difficult times teach the Somali nation who its enemy and friend are;
• The public good of the Somali people is the sole drive of all decisions made; and
• The presence of foreign troops on Somali soil is a big burden of self-rule.

Dr. Said Mohamud of Lewiston is chairman of the Somali People’s Party and a 2021 Somali presidential candidate.