Ethiopia has been landlocked since 1993, when Eritrea gained independence after a three-decade war, leaving it reliant on its neighbors’ ports. In 2023, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed identified regaining ocean access as a strategic objective and warned that failure to secure it could lead to conflict. Somalia, Eritrea and Djibouti were incensed and said they would oppose any attempt to infringe on their territories, prompting Abiy to walk back his comments. Then on Jan. 1, Ethiopia struck a deal to secure direct passage to the Red Sea via Somaliland, a breakaway region of Somalia, which will get a stake in its national airline in return. While President Muse Bihi Abdi of Somaliland said Ethiopia will officially recognize his country as a sovereign state, Addis Ababa said that issue is still being assessed.

He reaffirmed the United States’ acknowledgment of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia, as defined “within its 1960 borders”. Following an emergency cabinet meeting on 02 January 2024, the country declared the MoU “null and void”, and recalled its Ambassador to Ethiopia for consultations. Additionally, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud reiterated to the Somalia Federal Parliament the country’s stance on its territorial inviolability. Somalia views the deal as an infringement on its territorial integrity, considering Somaliland as an integral part of its territory. The European Union has reminded parties of the importance of respecting the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia.

The unrecognised Republic of Somaliland in the Horn of Africa has agreed to lease 20km of its coast to landlocked Ethiopia, in exchange for international recognition. Ethiopia has sought access to the sea since it lost its ports when the Eritrea gained independence in 1993. News of the deal between Somaliland and Ethiopia created fury in Somalia, which considers the deal as a violation of its national sovereignty. Ties between the two countries date to the 1980s when Ethiopia helped Somaliland fighters gain de facto independence. The new deal threatens to inflame relations between Ethiopia and Somalia, who have a history of military conflict and strained relations.

The Arab League and the United States have rejected a Red Sea access deal between Ethiopia and Somalia's breakaway region of Somaliland, saying the pact violates Somalia's sovereignty. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed on Monday between Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa, giving Ethiopia access to Red Sea ports. Abiy's office hailed the pact as "historic" and said it is "intended to serve as a framework for the multi-sectoral partnership between the two sides." But Somalia rejected Ethiopia's Red Sea port deal with Somaliland on Tuesday and called the agreement a threat to good neighbourliness and a violation of its sovereignty. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud called his Egyptian counterpart late on Tuesday in the wake of the tensions between Mogadishu and Addis Ababa concerning the deal.

Egypt expressed its full respect for the unity and sovereignty of the Federal Republic of Somalia over its entire territory and its opposition to any actions that would undermine Somali sovereignty. It stressed that Somalia and its people have the exclusive right to benefit from their resources. Ahmed said that Ethiopia had not used the sea gate for years and that this understanding represented a breakthrough in Ethiopia’s history. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud regarded the agreement as a futile attempt and a deviation from reality. The European Union also insisted on respecting Somalia’s sovereignty.

The Ethiopia coffee project is one of 26 different country projects under the name FOLUR (“Food. Ethiopia Minister of Planning and Development Fitsum Assefa led the inauguration of the FOLUR project in Ethiopia’s capital city Addis Ababa yesterday. The project formally adopts Ethiopia’s new integrated land use policy while seeking to improve the livelihoods of approximately 440,000 people. The project aims to restore 10,500 hectares of unproductive coffee lands, while restoring and managing 60,000 hectares of key forest land. The Ethiopia FOLUR project is being implemented in 22 woredas of four regions: Oromia, Sidama, Central Ethiopia and Southwest region.

The Japan Airlines (JAL) Airbus A350 crashed into a De Havilland Dash-8 coast guard turboprop plane shortly after landing at Haneda airport in Tokyo, bursting in to flames. All 379 people aboard the A350 were evacuated from the burning aircraft, but five of the six coast guard crew were killed. HOW COMPOSITES WORKComposite airframes have several advantages over aluminum planes, said Bjorn Fehrm, a composites expert at trade publication Leeham News. That raises a question about whether firefighters need additional training for handling fires involving composite jets. "One point can be taken for sure, if the heat generated from burning kerosene is that intense, aluminum would also fail."

On 1 January, Somalia’s fragile political landscape was shaken by an announcement of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that Somaliland would give neighbouring Ethiopia port access in exchange for official recognition. There's more to this story Get unlimited access to our exclusive journalism and features today. Our award-winning team of correspondents and editors report from over 54 African countries, from Cape Town to Cairo, from Abidjan to Abuja to Addis Ababa. Subscribe Now cancel anytime Already a a subscriber Sign In

(JNS) — New York Republicans selected Mazi Melesa Pilip, an Ethiopian-born, Orthodox Jew and Israel Defense Forces veteran, on Thursday to run for New York’s 3rd Congressional District. It was also revealed that Santos had fabricated his backstory, including his supposed Jewish heritage. She served in the IDF as a paratrooper before moving to the United States with her husband and becoming a U.S. citizen. The New York 3rd district special election holds national significance, given how narrowly Republicans control the House. Following the expulsion of Santos, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.)

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On January 1, 2024, Ethiopia signed an agreement with Somaliland – a breakaway region of Somalia – to use the territory’s port of Berbera. However, this is misleading: although the agreement guarantees landlocked Ethiopia leased access to the Red Sea port of Berbera, it does not constitute ownership. The post continues: “Ethiopia has signed an agreement with Somaliland to access and develop the coast of the Red Sea. Map showing border between Ethiopia, Somalia and Somaliland (Sophie RAMIS / AFP)However, the claim that Ethiopia now owns Somaliland’s port is misleading. Port access agreementThe Ethiopian government has been pressing neighbouring countries for negotiated access to the Red Sea (archived here).

Briefs: Dirty LaundryDirty Laundry is making a return to Perth for Fringe World 2024, gracing the stage at the all-new L’Euro Grande from January 19 to February 4 for the final time. Don’t miss this limited season at L’Euro Grande—where Dirty Laundry will be laying it all out for the very last time in Perth. With multiple appearances on Australian TV and radio, he won the Fringe World award for Best comedy ‘weekly award’ four times in a row and is a recipient of the West Australian comedy choice award. He has performed comedy all over the world including the USA where he performed at the world-famous Laugh Factory and the Improv in Hollywood. Joe White: Ethiopian & Still Not Hungry 2024Dates: January 19 – February 18Live at several venues across Perth, Fremantle, Kalamunda and WannerooBookings: https://fringeworld.com.au/whats_on/joe-white-ethiopian-and-still-not-hungry-2024-fw2024

Somalia’s president on Tuesday rejected an agreement signed between Ethiopia and the breakaway region of Somaliland to give landlocked Ethiopia access to its coast, calling it a violation of international law. “We will not stand idly by and watch our sovereignty being compromised,” President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud told a joint session of Somalia’s federal parliament. Somaliland, a region strategically located by the Gulf of Aden, broke away from Somalia in 1991 as the country collapsed into warlord-led conflict. Somaliland’s president said the agreement also included a clause that Ethiopia would recognize Somaliland as an independent country in the near future. Somalia’s president said Somalia and Ethiopia share a long history and that embracing a peaceful coexistence is the only way to ensure lasting peace in the region.

The European Union on Tuesday (2 January) insisted Somalia’s sovereignty should be respected after Ethiopia signed a controversial deal with breakaway Somaliland. The memorandum of understanding signed by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Somaliland leader Muse Bihi Abdi on Monday gives Ethiopia access to the Red Sea port of Berbera and a leased military base. https://t.co/avxj2Toiig — Peter Stano (@ExtSpoxEU) January 2, 2024Somalia on Tuesday vowed to defend its territory as it branded the accord between Ethiopia and Somaliland an “aggression”. The government in Mogadishu also said it had recalled its ambassador to Ethiopia and issued an appeal to the international community to stand by its side over the “blatant assault” on its sovereignty. Somaliland, a former British protectorate of about 4.5 million people, has been seeking full statehood since claiming independence from Somalia in 1991.

While Somaliland formally acknowledges providing sea access to Ethiopia for Naval Forces in return for recognition, Ethiopia has not… pic.twitter.com/GqQocM8m9e — Addis Standard (@addisstandard) January 2, 2024While Somaliland formally acknowledged providing sea access to Ethiopia for Naval Forces in return for recognition, Ethiopia was not publicly about the provision. This includes Ethiopia obtaining a permanent naval base and commercial port access in the Gulf of Aden through a lease agreement with Somaliland. “Accordingly, we have made great effort to explain our position to all who are able and willing to listen,” the statement continued. However, “there has been no murmur or complaint when this materialized,” indicating the MOU does not violate any laws or international norms. Addressing Ethiopia’s national interests, Ethiopia’s government communication service underscores the country’s foreign policy, which prioritizes relations with neighboring nations.