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.
