In a significant diplomatic development, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has signed a law invalidating the memorandum of understanding inked between the Government of Ethiopia and the breakaway Somali region of Somaliland.
This move follows a deal announced on January 1st, wherein Somaliland agreed to lease a 20-kilometer stretch of its coastline to Ethiopia for the establishment of a naval base. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed disclosed this during the signing ceremony.
President Muse Bihi Abdi of Somaliland added that the agreement included a commitment from Ethiopia to recognize the territory as an independent country. This particular aspect of the accord has become a major point of contention, as Somaliland disputes the legally binding nature of the union intended to form a unified country after gaining independence from Italy and Britain, respectively.
The disagreement has heightened tensions, with Somalia branding the move as an “act of aggression” and subsequently recalling its ambassador from Ethiopia. The African Union (AU) chairperson has called for an immediate negotiation process between Ethiopia and Somalia to resolve their differences.
The backdrop to this development lies in Ethiopia’s historical loss of access to the sea when Eritrea seceded in 1993. Since then, Ethiopia has relied on the port in neighboring Djibouti for the majority of its imports and exports. The establishment of a naval base in Somaliland represents a strategic shift for Ethiopia, but it has sparked a diplomatic crisis with Somalia, emphasizing the complexity of regional relations.