The Somali government has strongly rejected the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed yesterday between Ethiopia and Somaliland. Somalia says the deal is "null and void" and has no legal basis.
The agreement, inked by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Somaliland President Muse Bihi, aims to improve Ethiopia's access to seaports by having Somaliland lease 20 km of its coastal land to Ethiopia to build a naval base.
However, the Somali government says Ethiopia’s move is a “naked aggression” that violates Somalia's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Officials described the deal as illegitimate at a cabinet meeting in Mogadishu on Tuesday.
Somalia has recalled its ambassador from Addis Ababa, urging international bodies like the UN and AU to intervene. It wants Ethiopia to respect Somalia's claim that any agreements affecting its borders or recognition of Somaliland are invalid without Somalia's consent.
The rejection indicates rising tensions, as Somalia says the maritime access deal signed without its approval threatens its territorial integrity.