Somaliland Reassesses Ethiopia Sea Access Deal for Recognition

HARGEISA, Somalia - Somalia's northern breakaway Somaliland region may not be keen anymore with the agreement signed last year for access to the sea in exchange for recognition by Ethiopia, with the breakaway region now admitting that there is a need for intense review and reassessment.

Abdirahman Dahir Adan, the newly appointed Foreign Affairs minister for the region, says the new administration of Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi alias Irro is yet to get access to the agreement signed by Muse Bihi Abdi with Ethiopia.

Adan, who had never supported the agreement since its contents were first leaked to the public, maintains that the new government may not be keen on the deal, even with the fact that many things have since changed, including Somalia’s agreement with Ethiopia in Ankara.

“What Ethiopia was saying and what the president was saying was different,” Adan told a parliamentary subcommittee. “The former president claimed the agreement was a trade of sea access for recognition, while Ethiopia maintained that recognition would only be considered once sea access was granted. At no point have they (Ethiopia) explicitly committed to recognizing Somaliland,” he added.

While insisting that he has not seen the agreement, he stressed that Somaliland’s pursuit of international recognition must be approached cautiously and in alignment with the nation’s best interests.

“We will seek recognition through every possible channel, but we will not jeopardize our sovereignty or the future of our people in the process. Recognition must serve the mutual interests of Somaliland and all involved parties,” Adan said.

The foreign minister also stressed that the region was not keen to trade its assets in exchange for recognition at the expense of its economy and the people. Rather, he said, such moves must be realigned with mutual interests that cannot compromise resources.

“If we were to relinquish our country, giving it away to another nation in exchange for recognition, but in turn, allow our resources and our people to be controlled by others, that would be nonsensical. True recognition, after all, comes from God,” Adan asserted.

Adan reiterated his commitment to reviewing the MOU and ensuring that any agreement made aligns with Somaliland’s national interests.

“I assure you, if the MOU is in the best interest of our country, ensures recognition, and benefits our people, we will fully embrace it. We have made this clear to Ethiopia, and they understand that the MOU has yet to be presented to the Somaliland public or its legislative bodies for review,” he concluded.

GAROWE ONLINE