According to a statement published on the website of Somalia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the agreement marks a new era of partnership between Mogadishu and Rabat.

Under the new accord, the two nations will collaborate in areas including education, vocational training, health, security, economic investment, sports, and culture.

Somalia and Morocco, long-time partners in several international organizations, have also agreed to review the agreement after two years to assess progress and further enhance their cooperation.

The statement added that Morocco has increased its annual scholarship quota for Somali students to 120, with a particular focus on supporting higher education.

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Minister Omar told lawmakers that Somalia has not yet ratified the treaty, which was approved by Heads of State and Government during the 14th Ordinary Session of the IGAD Summit held in Djibouti on June 12, 2023.

So far, only Djibouti, Ethiopia, and South Sudan have ratified the new agreement.

“There is nothing significant we can change in the treaty. I encourage you to read it thoroughly. If there are any concerns, Somalia can enter reservations before ratification,” Omar explained.

However, the parliamentary discussion quickly shifted from treaty details to broader concerns about Somalia’s continued membership in IGAD, with several MPs proposing a complete withdrawal from the eight-member regional bloc.

“IGAD is composed of some of the most unstable countries in the region,” said MP Mohamed Kooshin, citing ongoing conflicts in South Sudan and Sudan, as well as Uganda’s military presence in Somalia and the internal situations in Ethiopia and Eritrea. “We gain nothing from this body. It is best for Somalia to exit.”

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MP Dahir Amin Jesow of the opposition Himilo Qaran party echoed those sentiments.

He recalled IGAD’s origins as a six-nation effort to address humanitarian crises like the drought in Ethiopia but said the bloc has evolved into a politically driven organization with deep interference in Somali affairs.

“Our parliament once passed a resolution to keep IGAD frontline states out of Somalia. That shows the level of unwanted intervention,” Jesow said.

“Today, IGAD member states have deployed their troops in Somalia. What we’ve received is not support, but destruction and interference.”

IGAD countries including Uganda, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Kenya, and Burundi have contributed troops to the African Union mission in Somalia since 2007 to combat al-Shabaab militants and support the federal government.

Despite the criticism, some lawmakers advised caution.

MP Abdisalam Dhabancad warned against a hasty decision to withdraw, noting that IGAD had provided Somalia with significant support over the years.

“We have benefited from IGAD in many ways. Let’s not rush into decisions that could harm our interests,” Dhabancad told his colleagues.

The parliamentary chair announced that discussions on the IGAD treaty will continue. A draft resolution will go through three readings in parliament before a final vote is held.

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