Ethiopia considers withdrawing MoU with Somaliland

ADDIS ABABA - The Government of Ethiopia is considering the possible withdrawal of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Somaliland, credible reports indicate, which could be informed by growing pressure from members of the international community.

Ethiopia has been under pressure to withdraw from the agreement, with many international partners referring as blatant aggression on Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Somalia has since asked the United Nations to take action against Ethiopia.

In January, Ethiopia signed an agreement with the breakaway region of Somaliland, which if implemented, would see the country getting 20 kilometers of Red Sea for the construction of a port and military base while Somaliland would be recognized as a sovereign state.

The accord triggered an uproar in neighboring countries, with Somalia saying it would defend its territorial integrity and Egypt and other nations urging caution, Bloomberg reports.

Last week, Kenya's President William Ruto held talks with Ethiopia Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in which the deal was widely discussed along with possible ramifications on the security and stability of the region. Ruto also hosted Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

Ethiopian officials privately told foreign officials that the country may be willing to drop its recognition of Somaliland, according to five foreign officials who were briefed on Addis Ababa’s stance. Ruto also raised the matter in a meeting with Somalian President Hassan Sheikh, who was visiting Kenya at the same time as Abiy.

Ruto told Bloomberg in an interview in January that his administration was trying to “persuade Ethiopia” to consider other options beyond its demand for a port, though it’s unclear what those options are.

Neighboring countries and some of Ethiopia’s biggest donors have expressed concern that the deal — which Somalia has said is illegal and would represent an annexation of its territory — may spark conflict in an already volatile region.

Molly Phee, the US assistant secretary of state for African affairs, told reporters on a call last month that Ethiopia should seek a deal providing it with sea access with the federal authorities in Mogadishu and not officials in Somaliland. The US and United Nations have also said the agreement may allow the Islamist militant group al-Shabaab to exploit the situation for its recruitment.

“The region can ill afford more conflict,” Phee said.

Abiy Ahmed is under pressure to withdraw from the deal but he's yet to publicly comment on the issue. Somalia has restrained itself from aggression, choosing diplomatic channels as the best way to settle the escalating tensions within the Horn of Africa.

GAROWE ONLINE