Nairobi, Feb. 19 -- Somalia and Ethiopia on Saturday clashed over African Union security access, reflecting the level of relations between them.

And it started after Somalia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation alleged that President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud had been prevented from accessing African Union headquarters on Saturday where African leaders were gathering for the 37th Ordinary Session of the heads of state and government.

Ethiopia said the Somali delegation had attempted to enter the AU premises with firearms without prior authorisation, leading to a standoff.

"The Federal Government of Somalia strongly condemns the provocative attempt by the Ethiopian government to obstruct the delegation of the Somali P...