Ethiopia has signed a “historic” deal granting it naval and commercial access to ports along Somaliland’s Red Sea coast, in exchange for recognition for the breakaway republic’s independence, it has been announced. It added: “The memorandum of understanding shall pave the way to realize the aspiration to secure access to the sea and diversify its access to sea ports,” ushering in a “new chapter of cooperation” and “regional integration in the Horn”. FDRE Signed MOU with Somaliland for Partnership and cooperation which paves the way for accessing a leased Military base on Red sea. Formal recognition by Ethiopia would present Somaliland with its biggest opportunity yet to begin overcoming its international isolation. Ethiopia lost access to its Red Sea ports in the early 1990s when Eritrean insurgents in the country’s north gained control of Ethiopia’s northern coastal region – which was a former Italian colony – and then declared independence.

Source: Ethiopian News January 01, 2024 21:30 UTC