The deal, signed on New Year's Day, involved granting Ethiopia access to the Red Sea in exchange for recognising Somaliland as an independent nation. "This evening, I signed the law nullifying the illegal MoU between the government of Ethiopia and Somaliland," Reuters quoted President Mohamud as saying. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's aspiration to secure Red Sea access has long been a contentious issue in the Horn of Africa. Abiy's assertion in October that Ethiopia's existence is "tied to the Red Sea" reflects the significance he places on securing strategic maritime access. As of now, there has been no official response from Somaliland or Ethiopian authorities regarding the nullification of the port deal.

Source: Ethiopian News January 08, 2024 04:05 UTC