Somaliland’s Defence Minister, Abdiqani Mohamoud Ateye, has resigned in protest over a controversial deal granting Ethiopia access to the Red Sea via a port in the breakaway Somali region. Ateye, hailing from the Awdal region of Somaliland, expressed his dissent, criticizing President Muse Bihi Abdi for not consulting the ministers about the Ethiopia port deal, with Ateye himself learning about it through media reports. The deal has been perceived as pivotal for Ethiopia, offering access to the Red Sea and potentially recognizing Somaliland’s independence. Ethiopia, a landlocked nation, signed the initial agreement with Somaliland to use its Red Sea port of Berbera. In Somaliland, the announcement of the port deal was met with celebrations in the streets, with locals viewing it as a significant step towards international recognition and economic opportunities beyond Somalia’s influence.
