Tag: Ethiopia
Lord Cameron, the UK Foreign Secretary, for the Recognition of Somaliland
Lord Cameron, the UK Foreign Secretary, for the Recognition of Somaliland
Somaliland’s Pathway to International Recognition
Somaliland’s Pathway to International Recognition
On January 1st, 2024, Ethiopia and Somaliland announced a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which promises to reconfigure the geopolitics of the Horn of Africa. The MoU grants Ethiopia access to the sea, in which it will lease 20 kilometers of coastline. In return, Ethiopia has agreed to recognize Somaliland, which also is due to receive a stake in Ethiopian Airlines.
This agreement has significant implications for the foreign policy of Ethiopia towards Somalia, as it prioritizes its interests and those of Somaliland over historical ties with Somalia. The deal has been met with opposition from the Somalia government, which has declared it null and void. However, Somaliland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated that the recognition marks a significant diplomatic milestone for the country. Relevant foreign actors and multilateral organizations have remained cautious in responding to the agreement, refraining from doing anything that might upset the status quo of Somalia’s De Jure authority, while also not explicitly condemning the contents of the agreement.
President Muse Bihi and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) of Cooperation and Partnership between Somaliland and Ethiopia, granting Ethiopia access to the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. During the signing ceremony in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital, Abiy Ahmed stated, “We have agreed with our Somaliland brothers, and MoU has been signed today,”
President Muse Bihi of Somaliland declared that in accordance with the agreement, Ethiopia would be the first nation to acknowledge Somaliland’s independence in the near future.” By signing this Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), Somaliland will lease Ethiopia 20 kilometers of its coastline. In return, Ethiopia will recognize Somaliland and receive a stake in Ethiopian Airlines.
This unprecedented agreement, if implemented, promises to alter the status quo of Ethiopia as a landlocked country and Somaliland as a de facto state, two long-pursued goals. The deal constitutes a significant shift in Ethiopia’s foreign policy towards Somalia, with Ethiopia, by formally recognizing Somaliland, signifying that it will prioritize its interests, as well as those of Somaliland, over its historical ties with Somalia.
Shortly after the agreement was reached, Somalia’s government issued a statement declaring the deal null and void because of its alleged violation of Somalia’s territorial integrity and unity.
According to Mogadishu, Somaliland is still considered part of Somalia, and any attempt to enter into an agreement with it is unlawful. In a statement released by Somalia, “The Somalia government recognizes Ethiopia’s actions as a blatant violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia”. In contrast, Somaliland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement avowing that “recognition marks a significant diplomatic milestone for our country”. However, it is important to note that Somaliland and Somalia were two separate sovereign states at the outset of decolonization, prior to their unification under the Somali Republic in 1960, which came to an end in 1991 (historical contextual factors are explained below).
Several multilateral organizations have taken a stance on the issue, including the Intergovernmental Authority for Development (IGAD), African Union (AU), European Union (EU), Arab League, and Organization for Islamic Cooperation (OIC). While these organizations did not explicitly endorse the annulment of the agreement, they proposed diplomatic dialogue among all stakeholders. This approach supported Somaliland’s case that international recognition should be treated as a regional and international concern, rather than a local issue between Somaliland and Somalia. Major Powers, including the United States, United Kingdom, Denmark, the Netherlands, Egypt, and Italy, also responded to the agreement, reinforcing their commitment to Somalia’s territorial integrity and unity while refraining from condemning the content of the agreement between Somaliland and Ethiopia.
This article explores the relationship between these developments and Somaliland’s evolving approach to acquiring long-awaited international recognition. It argues that the Ethiopian-Somaliland Accord marks a turning point for both countries, with Somaliland poised to achieve international recognition and Ethiopia securing access to the sea. All signs indicate that the two countries are committed to implementing the agreement signed in Addis Ababa on January 1, 2024, and the success of the agreement will determine the future of regional integration and cooperation in the Horn of Africa.
MoU Signed with Somaliland Depicts Ethiopia’s Commitment for Regional Stability & Economic Integration
MoU Signed with Somaliland Depicts Ethiopia’s Commitment for Regional Stability & Economic Integration
Ethiopia’s Access to Seaport Guarantees Red Sea Security
Ethiopia’s Access to Seaport Guarantees Red Sea Security
Speaking to the Ethiopian Press Agency (EPA), a Political Science Scholar Prof. Biruk Hailu stated that Ethiopia’s acquisition of a sea gate in the strategic, yet volatile region is of great significance to the area’s maritime security and repulsing criminal activities. Continue reading “Ethiopia’s Access to Seaport Guarantees Red Sea Security”
Will Rep Ilhan Omer Survive after Badmouthing Somaliland People
Will Rep Ilhan Omer Survive after Badmouthing Somaliland People
Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) is being accused of ‘treason’ and calls to be removed from Congress she faces fierce opposition for a speech where she unapologetically declared she is ‘Somalia first.’ Continue reading “Will Rep Ilhan Omer Survive after Badmouthing Somaliland People”
Somalia President will Meet Abiy of Ethiopia in Italy Soon
Somalia President will Meet Abiy of Ethiopia in Italy Soon
Caasimada Online news website said on Saturday that Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed are scheduled to meet on the sidelines during the Italian Summit with African Countries.
Next week is the scheduled date of the summit; eight prime ministers and fifteen presidents have accepted the offer to participate, along with additional African delegates. Among the African leaders who accepted the invitation to the meeting in Italy are Hassan Sheikh of Somalia and Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia.
The leader of Somalia, whose government has accused Ethiopia of plotting to takeover portions of Somalia, will meet for the first time with Ethiopia since its intention to lease navy base along the Red Sea with Somaliland infuriated them.
According to the news outlet, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will hold the meeting on Sunday night in an effort to defuse the tensions, which experts warn might have serious consequences.
As recently as yesterday, the ruling Prosperity Party (PP), led by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, announced that the party has resolved to bring the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that Ethiopia signed with Somaliland “to a practical agreement” while simultaneously paying attention to the principles of give and take to secure additional options to port access with other neighboring countries. This announcement came at the conclusion of four days of meetings by members of both the Executive and the Central Committee.
The Memorandum of Understanding with Somalinad, according to the ruling party, further validates “Ethiopia’s position for regional economic and cultural ties.”
Thus far, based on political maneuvers, it is evident that PM Abiy and his administration are dedicated to seeing this Memorandum of Understanding with Somaliland through, irrespective of regional and international diplomatic pressures.
However, the Somali government had previously stated that talks with Ethiopia would not be possible until Ethiopia canceled its deal with Somaliland, which has not yet occurred.
It’s probable that the president of Somalia would be reminded of historical information regarding the merged nations that formed the Somali Republic in 1960 by a former master, colonizer, and administrator.
President Bihi: “Somali’s President Prefers Perishing Rather Than Witnessing Somaliland Recognition”
President Bihi: “Somali’s President Prefers Perishing Rather Than Witnessing Somaliland Recognition”
Somalia’s Empty Rhetoric Couldn’t Stop the Deal Between Somaliland and Ethiopia
Somalia’s Empty Rhetoric Couldn’t Stop the Deal Between Somaliland and Ethiopia
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