Ethiopia: We are not intending to recognise Somaliland

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia - Authorities in Ethiopia have denied claims that they intend to fully enforce the recent Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the breakaway region of Somaliland, which is keen to be considered as an independent state.

The two sides signed the agreement in January 2024, setting the ground for serious diplomatic fallout between Addis Ababa and Mogadishu. The international community has been pushing for dialogue to restore order and integration.

Multiple diplomatic sources said Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali and his government have expressed interests to respect Somalia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty which has been at stake for the last four months, causing rifts in the Horn of Africa.

Reports indicate that Ethiopia has told the diplomats that it never promised to grant diplomatic recognition to the Somaliland administration, as part of the deal. The deal has also triggered concerns from the United Nations which is not keen for a Somaliland Republic.

Somaliland said that it is in the advanced stage of implementing the deal, adding that it expects Ethiopia to fully embrace the MoU. Muse Bihi Abdi, the president of Somaliland, has been pushing to have the breakaway region recognized as a country.

Last week, the outgoing United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia and Head of UNSOM, Catriona Laing, met with Ethiopian Foreign Minister Taye Atske-Selassie. He affirmed Ethiopia's stance on the political unity and territorial integrity of Somalia.

Under the MoU, Somaliland pledged to cede 20 kilometers of the Red Sea to Ethiopia for the construction of the Naval Base and a port in exchange for recognition of the region. For 30 years, international partners have refused to recognize Somaliland.

Somalia on the other hand, has accused Ethiopia of plans to undermine its territorial integrity and sovereignty and vowed to respond with equal force. The United Nations has called for order and respect, adding that dialogue should be embraced.

GAROWE ONLINE