The Ethiopian Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed, and the President of the breakaway region of Somaliland, Muse Bihi Abdi, recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding that has caused controversy.
The agreement outlines plans for Ethiopia to be granted access to the Red Sea through Somaliland and the construction of an Ethiopian military base on the Somaliland coast.
In response, the Somali government has condemned the agreement, seeing it as violating its sovereignty.
The Council of Ministers of Somalia held an emergency meeting and called for the United Nations Security Council and the African Union to intervene and address the tensions between the countries.
Somalia argues that Somaliland is part of the Republic of Somalia, and Ethiopia has violated international norms by making this agreement.
Somalia has also recalled its ambassador from Ethiopia to Mogadishu for consultations.
Somali President Hassan Sheik Mohamud described the memorandum of understanding in the Somali parliament as a “disgrace against international norms and laws.”
He called on the Ethiopian prime minister to reconsider the decision, stating that it was not an agreement but a violation of Somalia’s existence as a country.
Despite this, Mohamud emphasized that Somalia is trying to work with Ethiopia on a better future for both countries, as there have been decades of tension.
Somaliland declared its independence from Somalia in 1991, but it is not recognized internationally as an independent state.
The region has around 3.5 million inhabitants, and the port of Berbera is used for trade with Saudi Arabia and other countries in the region.
Even the Islamist extremist militia Al-Shabaab has rejected the declaration by Ethiopia and Somaliland, accusing Ethiopia of planning to conquer Somalia.
An Al-Shabaab spokesman said that they are ready to defend their land and sea with their blood.
Speaking in the Somali parliament, President Mohamud emphasized that the declaration by Somaliland and Ethiopia could give Al-Shabaab new supporters and spark further violence.
This warning comes after Somali security forces had already inflicted significant losses on the militia.
Mohamud urged the parties involved not to give terrorists the opportunity to reorganise.
