ALTERED: UN acting envoy for Somalia didn’t express confidence in the Somaliland-Ethiopia MoU
James Swan expressed concern about the Memorandum of Understanding signed in Addis Ababa.
This post on X (formerly Twitter) with a video purportedly claiming the United Nations acting envoy for Somalia, James Swan, recognized Ethiopia-Somaliland MoU is ALTERED.
The text accompanying the video reads, “UN recognized the ETHIO-SOMALILAND MoU,and Somaliland territorial integrity (sic).”
The footage shows James Swan addressing the UN Security Council.
Similar claims were also shared here and here.
The video in question purportedly shows Swan expressing confidence that the Ethiopia-Somaliland Memorandum of Understanding, announced on January 1st, has generated optimism in the Horn of Africa. He highlighted the alleged Security Council’s consistent support for the sovereignty and peaceful coexistence of Somalia and Somaliland. He urged Somaliland and Ethiopia to resolve matters with Somalia peacefully, in line with UN Charter principles and international law.
Ethiopia signed an agreement with Somaliland in Addis Ababa on 1 January 2024. The MoU allows Ethiopia to access the sea and set up a military base in exchange for potential recognition of Somaliland. The Somalia government rejected the MoU, calling it “illegitimate,” a threat to good neighborliness, and violating its sovereignty.
A Google reverse image search on key frames of the video established that the United Nations published the video on its website with the headline “James C. Swan (UNSOM) on the Situation in Somalia.”
In the 9:24-minute video dated June 24, 2024, James C. Swan, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), was briefing the Security Council on the situation in the country.
Mr. Swan spoke on the Memorandum of Understanding between Somaliland and Ethiopia from minute 2:57 to 3:33 in the original video, expressing concern about the agreement.
“At the regional level, I remain concerned about the Ethiopia and Somaliland Memorandum of Understanding announced on January 1, which has created tension in the Horn of Africa at a time when the region faces other crises.”
The UN acting envoy for Somalia stated that the Security Council recognizes and respects Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and urged Ethiopia and Somalia to resolve their differences peacefully.
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud discussed Somalia’s concerns about the Memorandum of Understanding between Ethiopia and Somaliland with Secretary-General António Guterres on 10 January 2024. The Secretary-General reiterated that the Security Council has consistently affirmed its respect for Somalia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and unity.
Federation of Somali Journalists (FESOJ) has examined a post on X (formerly Twitter) with a video purportedly claiming the United Nations acting envoy for Somalia, James Swan, recognized Ethiopia-Somaliland MoU and found it to be ALTERED.
This fact-check was produced by Federation of Somali Journalists (FESOJ) under the African Fact-Checking Incubator programme, with support from PesaCheck, Code for Africa’s fact-checking initiative, and the African Fact-Checking Alliance(AFCA).
