Ethiopia congratulates Somaliland on a peaceful and democratic electionADDIS ABABA - Ethiopia has recognized the recently concluded presidential election in Somaliland, a breakaway region of Somalia that is fighting for international recognition, having declared self-independence three decades ago. A statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs acknowledged the people of Somaliland for conducting “a peaceful and democratic election.” The region runs a parallel government from that of Mogadishu and conducts its own legislative business. In the statement, Ethiopia lauded the Somaliland National Electoral Commission for conducting 'free and fair elections'. “This process reflects the maturity of Somaliland’s governance and democratic system,” the statement by the ministry said. Regardless of the outcome of the election and the eventual winner, Somaliland would still face the question of a Memorandum of Understanding with Ethiopia, which was termed as 'illegal and provocative'.
