STORY: Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud says his country will "defend itself" if Ethiopia goes ahead with a deal to set up a naval base in the breakaway region of Somaliland. "If Ethiopia is insisting, Somalia will resist and will refuse." The deal could also see Ethiopia potentially recognize the territory as an independent state. It is territory Somalia says it owns, even though the region has enjoyed effective autonomy since 1991. "If they come into the country, Somalia will do everything that it can to defend itself, definitely.

Source: Ethiopian News February 24, 2024 03:14 UTC