8 March 2024
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – Ethiopia is reconsidering a plan to recognize the breakaway state of Somaliland, amid international pressure to defuse regional tensions over the proposal, according to people familiar with the matter.
Landlocked Ethiopia signed an initial agreement with Somaliland in January to gain access to a port on the Gulf of Aden.
TAccording to Bloomberg ,the accord which would have made Ethiopia the first nation to recognize Somaliland’s sovereignty, triggered an uproar in neighboring countries. Somalia threatened to defend its territorial integrity, and Egypt and other nations urged caution.
It is unclear whether Ethiopia has formally abandoned the plan.
On January 2024, Ethiopia and Somaliland signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU),which Ethiopia access to Somaliland’s coastline on the Gulf of Aden for 50 years, granting them a vital port access and Somaliland potential recognition of their sovereignty by Ethiopia (the first country to do so) and a stake in Ethiopian Airlines (boosting their economy).
The agreement sparked outrage in Somalia, who view Somaliland as a breakaway region. Additionally, countries like Egypt expressed concern about potential regional instability. Due to international pressure, Ethiopia is now considering scrapping the recognition plan.
However, It’s unclear if Ethiopia has officially abandoned the MOU or if negotiations are ongoing
