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Wednesday January 3, 2024
Jigjiga (HOL) – Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi arrived in Jigjiga, the capital of the Somali region in Ethiopia, on Wednesday after signing a memorandum of understanding with the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Dr. Abiy Ahmed. The agreement allows Ethiopia access to the Red Sea port of Berbera and a leased military base.
The Somaliland administration stated that its president’s visit to Jigjiga was part of his working trip to Ethiopia but did not provide further details.
The Somali government has labelled the deal as “an act of aggression against Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity” and a direct threat to its maritime resources, vowing to defend them.
Speaking at an emergency parliament session in Mogadishu on Tuesday, President Mohamud declared the agreement between Ethiopia and Somaliland null and void, emphasizing that nobody can or will sign away an inch of Somalia, as the country belongs to the Somali people.
He called on the Ethiopian government to cease interfering in Somalia, leading Mogadishu to recall its ambassador to Ethiopia for deliberations, citing concerns that the deal jeopardizes regional stability.
Somaliland has not gained widespread international recognition despite declaring autonomy from Somalia in 1991. Somalia says Somaliland is part of its territory.
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