African Union appeals for calm in Ethiopia-Somalia row

A street in Hargeisa, Somaliland.

A street in Hargeisa, Somaliland. PHOTO | AFP

Photo credit: AFP

The African Union on Thursday joined the United States in appealing for calm in the Horn of Africa after regional tensions soared following a contested deal between Ethiopia and the breakaway region of Somaliland.

Somalia has vowed to defend its territory after Monday's agreement, which it described as an "aggression" and a "blatant assault" on its sovereignty by neighbouring Ethiopia.