Ethiopia on receiving end for signing 'treaty' with Somaliland

ADDIS ABABA - Ethiopia has been criticized for "breaching" international law by signing a "treaty" with Somaliland, a breakaway region of Somalia that is yet to be internationally recognized as a sovereign state.

On Monday, both Ethiopia and Somaliland announced the news, triggering outrage from various groups, including the federal government of Somalia which has convened an emergency cabinet meeting to discuss events in Addis Ababa.

In the controversial agreement, Somaliland, which declared self-determination from Somalia in 1991, will give 20 kilometers of the Red Sea to Ethiopia for 50 years in exchange for recognition as an independent state.

"A step ahead in the right direction for this and generations to come. FDRE Signed an MOU with Somaliland for Partnership and cooperation which paves the way for accessing a leased Military base on the Red Sea," said Redwan Hussien, the National Security Advisor to PM Abiy Ahmed.

But the actions could cause more damage than good with Somalia coming out guns blazing, dismissing the move as "illegal and unprecedented". Somalia’s envoy to Somaliland talks Abdikarim Hussein Guled termed the move a violation of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Somalia.

"The Ethiopian government's actions today constitute a blatant disregard for international norms and legal frameworks, representing a brazen violation of Somali territorial sovereignty and undermining the progress achieved through ongoing dialogue between FGS and Somaliland that was nearing a resolution," he said.

"This unilateral act jeopardizes regional stability and demonstrates a callous disregard for the Somali people's aspirations for peace and self-determination," he added.

Similar sentiments were shared by Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, the former president of Somalia, and his political nemesis Abdirahman Abdishakur, calling for immediate actions by the cabinet to arrest the situation for the sake of stability in the Horn of Africa.

"The Ethiopian government, led by Abiy Ahmed, has violated the sovereignty of the Somali nation. Furthermore, they have shown a disregard for the rules of the UN, AU, and IGAD, which aim to protect the independence, territorial integrity, and sovereignty of member states," Abdishakur said.

"Let's unite to protect our sea, land, and sovereignty," said Ex-president Farmajo, calling on Parliament and President Hassan Sheikh to issue a strong and swift decision in response to the Somaliland-Ethiopia MoU on seaport.

The al-Shabaab militant group condemned the MoU signed between Ethiopia and Somaliland over access to the sea, reportedly in exchange for recognition. Official spokesman Ali Dhere in an audio said the deal is “unlawful”, and “invalid” and has threatened to fight against it.

A statement issued by Somaliland on Monday evening confirmed events in Addis Ababa, which I'd actualized, would see Ethiopia gain access to sea and perhaps break ties with Djibouti by building its port in Somalia, within the state of Somaliland.

"We have reached a mutual agreement with the Federal Republic of Ethiopia that would see Ethiopian Naval forces access 20 km of Red Sea which will be leased for 50 years. In exchange, Ethiopia will recognize Somaliland as a sovereign state setting a precedent for other countries to recognize Somaliland," Bihi Abdi said.

GAROWE ONLINE