The Government of Somalia nullified Ethiopia and Somaliland memorandum of understanding signed by the heads of the two sides yesterday that can enable Ethiopia to secure 20 kilometers sea access for the Ethiopian Naval forces.
“As a Government, we have condemned and rejected the illegal infringement of Ethiopia into our national sovereignty and territorial integrity yesterday. Not an inch of Somalia can or will be signed away by anybody. Somalia belongs to the Somali people. This is final,” twitted President of Somalia
Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.
The statement came a day after Ethiopia’ Prime Minister of Abiy Ahmed and the self-proclaimed nation Somaliland President Muse Bihe Abdi signed a memorandum of understanding on that can allow the former to get access to the Red Sea.
“Today, it is with immense pride, I announce the mutually beneficial agreement between Somaliland and Ethiopia. In exchange for 20 kilometers sea access for the Ethiopian Naval forces, leased for a period of 50 years,” twitted Somaliland Foreign affairs.
“…the MOU is intended to serve as a framework for a multisectoral partnership between the two sides. The MOU shall pave the way to realize the aspiration of Ethiopia to secure access to the sea and diversify its access to the seaports. It also strengthens their security, economic and political partnership,” reads the statement issued after the signing.
As a Government, we have condemned and rejected the illegal infringement of Ethiopia into our national sovereignty and territorial integrity yesterday. Not an inch of Somalia can or will be signed away by anybody. Somalia belongs to the Somali people. This is final. pic.twitter.com/XPVwHZ4pvv
— Hassan Sheikh Mohamud (@HassanSMohamud) January 2, 2024
Even though it has been acting as independent state for three decades, Somaliland is not recognized by the United Nations or African Union as independent nation, as well as by the Mogadishu based Somalia Government.
As a result, the MOU signed on Monday is considered by the Federal Government of Somalia as act of aggression. Mogadishu, which still considers Somaliland as its part, said in a statement the agreement is “null and void” and a violation of its sovereignty.
In a statement it added that it “considers this action as an aggression and… is an impediment to the good neighborliness, peace and stability of the region which [is] already struggling with many challenges”.
“Acknowledging Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed’s request for seaport access for their Naval forces, President Muse Bihi Abdi, expressed that Somaliland endured a long quest for official recognition from Ethiopia. Somalia’s Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Bare urged people to remain calm. “I want to assure them that we are committed to the defense of the country. A part of our land, our sea and our air cannot be violated and I will defend it in every legal way,” he said at a press conference.
His Excellency President Muse Bihi Abdi and His Excellency Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed Ali signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Addis Ababa today. (1/6) pic.twitter.com/0VzK0xi7Eq
— MFA Somaliland (@somalilandmfa) January 1, 2024