Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi and Ethiopian National Security Advisor Redwan Hussein jointly announced the MoU at a press briefing in Addis Ababa. Hussein confirmed the agreement grants Ethiopia a 20-kilometer stretch of coastline specifically for military and commercial use, including an Ethiopian Navy base and an entry port. As part of the agreement Africa’s second most populated nation will recognize Somaliland as a sovereign state, Bihi said. This deal marks a significant development in both Ethiopia's quest for maritime access and Somaliland's pursuit of international recognition and economic development. “We allowed #Ethiopia 20km of sea, and Ethiopia will be the first country to recognise #Somaliland, according to the memorandum of understanding,” said President Bihi.

Source: Ethiopian News January 01, 2024 18:25 UTC