Ethiopia pulls out of IGAD summit in Uganda over sea deal in SomaliaADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia - The Federal Republic of Ethiopia has pulled out of the meeting set to be held on Thursday in Uganda, following a controversial deal it signed with Somaliland, a breakaway region of Somalia, which has been fighting for statehood. Djibouti President Omar Guelleh, the chairman of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), summoned a meeting to discuss the turmoil, with Uganda agreeing to host the meeting scheduled for 18th January 2024. "Nevertheless, Ethiopia stands ready to discuss an alternative date in line with rules of procedure governing meetings of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD)," the statement noted. The agreement with Somaliland dictates that Ethiopia will get 20 kilometers of the Red Sea for its military base. In return, Ethiopia will recognize Somaliland as a sovereign state, despite it remaining part of Somalia.

Source: Ethiopian News January 17, 2024 16:08 UTC