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Somalia rejected a deal signed recently (Monday) between its breakaway region of Somaliland and Ethiopia. After a Cabinet meeting, the Somalian government said that the pact had no legal validity and would endanger regional stability.
Mogadishu also summoned its ambassador to Ethiopia. The port agreement between Ethiopia and Somaliland would recognize the region as an independent nation in due course, while Somalia has called the deal a clear violation of its sovereignty, freedom, and unity. It has also sent an appeal to the international community to offer its support. An appeal also has been extended to the United Nations, the African Union, the Arab League, and the regional East African grouping IGAD among others, to stand with Somalia.
It may be recalled that both Somalia and Somaliland had agreed to restart dialogue to be mediated by Djibouti. Since declaring autonomy from Somalia in 1991, Somaliland has failed to receive international recognition. Somalia continues to lay claim to the region.
Recently, a memorandum of understanding was signed by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali and Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi to enable Ethiopia to the port access. As part of the deal, Somaliland plans to lease a 20-km stretch of land along its coastline to Ethiopia to establish a marine force base.
With a population estimated at over 120 million, Ethiopia is the most populous landlocked country in the world. The agreement, according to the Ethiopian sources, strengthens the security, economic, and political partnership between Ethiopia and Somaliland.
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Somaliland President Abdi said the agreement included a statement that Ethiopia would recognize Somaliland as an independent country shortly, which seceded from Somalia more than 30 years ago. However, it is not recognized by the African Union or the United Nations as an independent state.
Somalia and Somaliland reached an agreement in Djibouti on Friday to strengthen cooperation on security and the fight against organized crime. Ethiopia lost its access to the sea when Eritrea seceded in 1993. Ethiopia has been using the port in neighboring Djibouti for most of its imports and exports.
