Somalia condemns Ethiopia's contacts with the separatist enclave of Somaliland over access to the Red Sea

Somalia has recalled its envoy to Ethiopia after Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed met with Somaliland's President Muse Bihi Abdi: they signed a memorandum of understanding a memorandum of understanding, according to which Somaliland promises to grant Ethiopia access to the Red Sea. But Somalia does not agree with this agreement, UNN reports with citing Tagesschau and Bloomberg.

Details

The Government of Somalia has condemned the joint declaration of intent by neighboring Ethiopia and the Somaliland as an attempt on its own sovereignty.

Somaliland is part of the Republic of Somalia, and Ethiopia has violated international norms

Somalia also recalled its ambassador from Ethiopia to Mogadishu for consultations.

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Context

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, and Somaliland's "President" Muse Bihi Abdi yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding, according to which Somaliland wants to give Ethiopia access to the Red Sea. The agreement allows Ethiopia to use the port of Berbera port on the southern coast of the Gulf of Aden. This was stated in the office of the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, adding that the agreement also strengthens "security, economic and political partnership". It is also reported that the agreement provides for construction of an Ethiopian military base on the coast of Somaliland.

This is a move by Ethiopia, Bloomberg writes, which is the second most populous country in Africa country in Africa, could increase tensions in the conflict-ridden region and potentially upset other regional powers.

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