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Somalia claims Somaliland is an integral part of it. No country has, so far, recognized the sovereignty of Somaliland. It has extracted a promise from Ethiopia to recognize its sovereignty as a quid pro quo for allowing access to its port assets
Somalia announced a defense deal with Turkey support purportedly for protecting its sea assets, which was alleged to have been compromised when Ethiopia signed a deal with breakaway Somaliland to gain access to its port assets. Ethiopia is a landlocked country and Somaliland seceded from mainland Somalia some three decades ago. Earlier, Egypt lent its support to Somalia in its pursuit to protect its territorial integrity, which political analysts say was borne out of the inherent conflict between Egypt and Ethiopia in the construction of the Renaissance Dam across the White Nile.
Ethiopia signed a memorandum of understanding with Somaliland on the 1st of January creating flutters in Somalia. Somalia claims Somaliland is an integral part of it. No country has, so far, recognized the sovereignty of Somaliland. It has extracted a promise from Ethiopia to recognize its sovereignty as a quid pro quo for allowing access to its port assets. Somalia, however, said that it would go to war in case the situation precipitates and Ethiopia continues to operate unilaterally. Somalia sees such a deal as an act of aggression. Somaliland has enjoyed de facto independence for three decades, although it is yet to be recognized as an independent country.
Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre described the defence and economic deal with Turkey as a historic day for the country after the council of ministers approved it. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said that senior officers from Ethiopia’s military were in Somaliland preparing the ground for the territory’s annexation.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has downplayed fear of conflict, telling lawmakers earlier this month that he had no intention of going to war with Somalia. With a population of more than 120 million, Ethiopia is the most populous landlocked country in the world. Turkey is a key player in Somalia, influencing a country that lies on the shores of the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden, which is a pathway to the Red Sea.
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Turkey will provide training and equipment to the Somali navy so it can better safeguard its territorial waters from threats such as terrorism, piracy, and foreign interference. The deal was first signed by the two countries’ defence ministers on 8th February and will be in force for a decade.
