Somali Magazine – A memorandum of understanding providing Ethiopia access to one of the maritime ports of Somaliland’s self-proclaimed republic has sparked outrage in Somalia.
Prominent Somali political figures who oppose the accord struck on Monday say it jeopardizes the Horn of Africa region’s stability and are pressing Somalia’s government to intervene.
“The agreement signed today [Monday] by Ethiopia and Somaliland is a serious concern for Somalia and the rest of Africa.” “Respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity is the foundation of regional stability and bilateral cooperation,” Somalia’s former President Abdullahi Mohamed Farmaajo said on X.
“The Somali government must respond appropriately,” he went on to say.
Abdi Aynte, Somalia’s former Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, has urged the country to “act proportionally and swiftly,” calling Ethiopia’s deal “an extremely provocative step” that “has inevitably thrown the entire Horn of Africa region into a political crisis of epic proportions.”
Somaliland seceded from Somalia in 1991 but is not recognized as an independent state internationally, including by the United Nations and the African Union.
Somalia, which includes Somaliland in its territory, is likely to respond during an emergency cabinet meeting on Tuesday.