The country published a statement about the agreement it has reached with Somaliland on port usage that sparked diplomatic tension with Somalia.
The Statement issued on Wednesday by Ethiopia’s Government Communication Service shows that a Memorandum of Understanding (M0U) that was signed on Monday with Somaliland includes wide scopes of cooperation in social, economic, political and military fields.
The document (MoU) gives Ethiopia the opportunity to obtain a permanent and reliable naval base and commercial maritime service in the Gulf of Aden through a lease arrangement, and according to the government's announced position, it allows Somaliland to derive an equivalent share of the lease from Ethiopian Airlines.
The agreement, according to the statement, enables Ethiopia to gain a military base and access commercial maritime services through reciprocity and through a lease agreement is basically the same.
Beyond that, it includes provisions for the Ethiopian government to make an in-depth assessment towards taking a position regarding the efforts of Somaliland to gain recognition, it adds.
The, MoU also enables Somaliland to acquire the type of assistance and partnership it cannot get from any other country and also responds to its longstanding demands, it notes.
Ethiopia’s communication service says in the statement that the agreement should please all Ethiopians and friends of Ethiopia, as well as all members of the international community who desire for peace to reign in the region.
It says, “No party or country will be affected by this MoU. There is no broken trust nor is there any laws that have been transgressed. While this is the fact, it cannot be said that some will not be offended, shocked and refrain from attempting to destroy the positive progress.”
Somalia has been denouncing the agreement between Ethiopia and Somaliland mentioning that it would harm its sovereignty and territorial integrity. And various nations and organizations including Egypt, Arab Parliament and EU have showed support to Somalia.
However, Sahan Research strategic advisor, Matt Bryden, believes the agreement between Ethiopia and Somaliland is worrying for Somalia for a number of reasons.
He told DW that the agreement is a clear threat for Somalia’s sovereignty as it stated that Ethiopia would recognize Somaliland as an independent state.
“But practically it is not clear what Somalia could do” against the agreement, he says.
It is also difficult to clearly put what happen next as both countries have allies from Arab League and African Union that stand in different blocks uncertain to take measures to solve the issue, he mentions.
However, Bryden suggests that the solution potentially lies on political discussion and dedication to solve the issue through peaceful means.
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