Understanding Ethiopia’s Maritime Deal with Somaliland through Abiy Ahmed’s Foreign Policy
By Tilahun Abere Chanie
INTRODUCTION
In January 2024, Ethiopia signed a Memorandum of Understanding to get direct access to the sea with the de facto state of Somaliland. Somalia rejected the maritime deal that Ethiopia signed with the breakaway region of Somalia, as Somaliland is still not an independent country that the government of Somalia still considers an integral part of Somalia.
It makes sense that Somaliland welcomes the deal with a proxy of recognition from Ethiopia as an independent state, arecognition that still needs to be provided at the AU or UN level. The deal immediately ignited regional tension in the Horn ofAfrica, often known for conflicts despite theregion’s geo-strategic significance.Somalia considers the agreement as Ethiopia’s government is interfering in the internal affairs of Somalia, which violates the independence and sovereignty of Somalia TO READ MORE CLICK ⇓