Somaliland and Ethiopia signs "Historic" MoU on access to Red Sea and Establishment of Naval Base

[Xaaji Xunjuf]

African Union’s Strategic Role in Ethiopia and Somaliland’s MoU

EDITORIAL

 

The recent memorandum of understanding between Ethiopia and Somaliland, which allows Ethiopia sea access, is a significant milestone in the Horn of Africa region. This arrangement, soon to become a treaty, will formally recognise Somaliland’s sovereignty within its borders as they were in 1960, a notable development given Somaliland’s three decades of de facto international engagement. Although the concept of territorial lease is relatively new to Africa, it has a solid foundation in international law. For nations in the Horn of Africa, such agreements are more than just legal formalities; they symbolize a deep mutual respect and understanding. Furthermore, these agreements embody a commitment to shared prosperity, reflecting the objectives of the African Union.

Somalia’s characterization of the agreement as an “aggression” on its sovereignty mirrors the ongoing conflict between the two countries. Despite Somaliland gaining independence before Somalia on June 26, 1960, and the absence of a ratified Act of Union, Somalia persists in making territorial claim over Somaliland. This is despite the fact that the unlawful Somalian occupation of Somaliland between 1960 and 1991 ended following a liberation movement that stopped the Hargeisa Holocaust, also known as the Isaaq genocide – one of the gravest crimes against humanity.

The African Union’s call for calm and mutual respect between Ethiopia and Somalia is a standard diplomatic response to emerging tensions. However, this strategy will not adequately address this conflict. As highlighted by Matt Brydon, Director Sahan Research, in a recent Aljazeera interview, the conflict from the memorandum of understanding is between Somaliland and Somalia, and not between Ethiopia and Somalia. Ethiopia is only acting on the a fait accompli of Somaliland’s independence.

The international examples of Kosovo and Bangladesh’s declarations of independence show that a ignoring the root cause will not work. For example, India’s recognition of Bangladesh escalated tensions with Pakistan. However, the global community didn’t treat this as merely a bilateral issue between Pakistan and India. As more countries recognised Bangladesh, tensions decreased, eventually leading to Pakistan’s acceptance of the situation on the ground.

Efforts to stop nations from recognising Bangladesh would have been unproductive and such conflicts, particularly in the Horn of Africa, cannot remain unresolved indefinitely. This is evident in nearby Yemen, where unresolved disputes have been exploited by external forces. As Africans, it’s crucial to prevent such situations in both Somaliland and Somalia. Often, these external actors are undemocratic and do not prioritise the welfare of African nations. It’s important to ensure that such interference does not occur in our region.

Somaliland’s situation is fortunately less complex than that of Bangladesh. In 2005, the African Union’s fact-finding mission acknowledged the unique circumstances of Somaliland, suggesting it receives special consideration. All the African Union needs to do now is to act on the recommendations of this fact-finding mission. A public statement confirming that Ethiopia’s scheduled recognition of Somaliland does not breach the African Union charters and the principle of colonial borders would suffice. This would clarify that it’s within the rights of individual African states to either recognise Somaliland or resume diplomatic relations, based on their recognition in 1960.

The African Union ought to complement such statement with action by allowing Somaliland to join as an observer. This move would support stability and democracy in the region. The AU’s role should go beyond just suspending undemocratic regimes; it must also recognise and encourage the only democracy in the Horn of Africa. Importantly, the AU should reject the narrow-minded and fearmongering arguments, such as those from the US, which use Al-Shabaab as a pretext to undermine Somaliland’s aspirations. Somaliland has commendably managed to keep its territory free of pirates and terrorists without any external aid. Therefore, it is unfair to place hurdles in Somaliland’s way due to Somalia’s.

[Miskiin-Macruuf-Aqiyaar]

1 hour ago, maakhiri1 said:

 

This second hand embarrassment is getting ridiculous. Abaayo Ilhaan is right, kuwaan Soomaali ku sheeg waa dhaafeen. Soomaali magac u ah bas kuwaan.

Protectorate meesha la yimid. Yuu ahaa kuwa Sayidka xuquuqdooda u dagaalamaaye oo loo duqeyey oo gobonimo raadinaaye if they were 'free'? Yey ahaayeen kuwa canshuurta ka qaadaaye if they came back from xajka? Yey ahaayeen kuwa 'independence' siiyey? And independence from what if I hey were free ro begin with. 

Yey ahaayeen kuwa maxkamadahooda iyo sharcigooda Waqooyiga ka shaqeynaaye. Yey ahaayeen kuwa dhiibay dhulkeena oo Xabaahi siiyey, sida Hawdka? Waxee noo sheego rabaan thwt they were very happy dhulkaan daaqa xoolaha la dhiibo?

[Xaaji Xunjuf]

of all the colonialists  in africa and the horn of Africa the brits were the most decent and they ruled SL with a light touch , and  there were just a handfull of brits in Somaliland ,maybe around 300 and not in even in the big cities such as hargeisa and burco. But they were only in berbera. that was it a few administrators at the golf of aden. of all th e 5 somali, Somaliland had the least of colonialism. Kilinka had miniliq and xayle sellasie oo sida doonay u galay , reer somali galbeed,  Somalia hadalkeeda daa , 40.,000 oo talyaani ah ba so degey  somalia ,  it was pure colonization  not a protectorate,,  franiiska jabuuti  wabu dhaqan guuriye kuwaas . the mad mulla hadu naf laha intu focuska saarey ingriiska , tolki  ayu miniliq ka dhicin laha,,  laakin caqliga maleh , meel aan looga baahnayn bu yimid , berbera ingriiski joogay iska teg,,  laakin amxaarki jigjiga haystey wali sidi bu u haysta hada gala madow baba la wareergey 

[Miskiin-Macruuf-Aqiyaar]

Sigh. Uncle Tomism is beyond...

[maakhiri1]

2 hours ago, Miskiin-Macruuf-Aqiyaar said:

This second hand embarrassment is getting ridiculous. Abaayo Ilhaan is right, kuwaan Soomaali ku sheeg waa dhaafeen. Soomaali magac u ah bas kuwaan.

Protectorate meesha la yimid. Yuu ahaa kuwa Sayidka xuquuqdooda u dagaalamaaye oo loo duqeyey oo gobonimo raadinaaye if they were 'free'? Yey ahaayeen kuwa canshuurta ka qaadaaye if they came back from xajka? Yey ahaayeen kuwa 'independence' siiyey? And independence from what if I hey were free ro begin with. 

Yey ahaayeen kuwa maxkamadahooda iyo sharcigooda Waqooyiga ka shaqeynaaye. Yey ahaayeen kuwa dhiibay dhulkeena oo Xabaahi siiyey, sida Hawdka? Waxee noo sheego rabaan thwt they were very happy dhulkaan daaqa xoolaha la dhiibo?

From reading history, walaahi no other country has done more damage to the Somali people than UK.

How was these secessionist love British?

 

[Tallaabo]

12 hours ago, Miskiin-Macruuf-Aqiyaar said:

War Talaabo, what are tolkaaga iyo reeraha saying? Are they as hangry as you?

What we say doesn't matter to our oppressive, out of touch, illegitimate, and corrupt regime. Yes there are angry folks, but we have also got those who would not have any difficulties supporting Ibliis himself. 

[Xaaji Xunjuf]

7 hours ago, Miskiin-Macruuf-Aqiyaar said:

Sigh. Uncle Tomism is beyond...

u call it  uncle tom but u know it is the truth hence why SL cultural political experiance of elders and guurti remained intact , where as in Somalia its non existend 

[Xaaji Xunjuf]

The MoU Signed with Somaliland Depicts Ethiopia’s Continued Commitment for Regional Stability, Economic Integration: Ambassadors

Addis Ababa, January 31/2024 (ENA) The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between Ethiopia and Somaliland has far-reaching benefits for the region beyond the signatories and manifests Ethiopia’s continued commitment towards regional economic integration, Ethiopian Ambassadors to Canada, US, and China said.

In an exclusive interview with ENA, Ethiopia’s Ambassador to Canada, Fitsum Arega said that Ethiopia has been massively investing in various infrastructure which benefits its neighbors and the entire region as well.

He added that massive investment is now paying off to the efforts of achieving the goals of Agenda 2063, particularly economic integration.
Ethiopia has been working with its neighbors on railway connection, roads, and providing potable water, and electricity, Fitsum said.

The ambassador also noted “the MoU between Ethiopia and Somaliland is a continuation of efforts that we had started decades back to integrate with the region and mutually benefit. So, the MoU is historic and Ethiopia’s economy is growing and we would like to have more access sea ports.”

Through bilateral and multilateral discussions, Ethiopia will pursue for what has already started, he emphasized.

The MoU poses no threat to any country, he said, and stressed “when the dust settles, all the concerned countries will understand Ethiopia’s aspiration to grow along with the region; Ethiopia’s cooperation through integration.”

The African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA) is one of the instruments that Ethiopia has massive potential to utilize from and ensure mutual economic development and growth with all African countries, he elaborated.

“Ethiopia will continue to have more sea ports access like Djibouti port, Berbera port and even Lamu port in Kenya and other ports within the Red Sea. Ethiopia will continue to network through infrastructure as well as ports. So, it is for the benefit of the entire region to grow together,” Ambassador Fitsum underscored.

Ethiopia’s Ambassador to the US, Seleshi Bekele said on his part that Ethiopia as one of the major countries in Africa and the second populous in the continent requires access to sea.
The neighboring countries can benefit immensely from Ethiopia’s various sectors including power supply, potable water, transport and logistics connectivity, he said, and added “so that is already a fertile ground for economic integration and regional integration.”

Ethiopia also plays pivotal role in maintaining peace and stability in the region.

“Ethiopia’s view is always to protect the peace and security of the region. To this effect, the country contributes not just by words but by deeds, with blood. That is very crucial. There is no intention of destabilizing anybody or take the right of anybody else. It is just to share whatever wealth we have and collectively grow within the region,” Ambassador Seleshi pointed out.

“So, the neighboring countries instead of antagonizing each other must work and prosper together. The MoU, therefore, has a clear meaning that Ethiopia is not imposing anything; but it is to understand each another between Ethiopia and Somaliland; so, it means both of us has interest and that could be nurtured through dependable legally-based type of relationship,” Seleshi explained.

Ethiopia’s Ambassador to China, Tefera Derbew said on his part that Ethiopia needs sustainable and reliable port access in order to sustain the fast-growing economy.

“Access to the sea will also actually benefit the neighboring countries. Africans are trying to integrate their economy through the AfCFTA; their aspirations are similar and complimentary. So long as we agree on this basic issue, the MoU between Somaliland and Ethiopia will benefit the people of Ethiopia and the neighboring countries,” Tefera stated.

He added that all the neighboring countries should support Ethiopia’s noble cause for mutual economic development and prosperity of the region.

[Che -Guevara]

 

 

[Illyria]

This had the reverse effect in that she is gaining popularity with the right people incl. people in the wider Muslim world, Africa, Asia etc, whilst enraging neo-Nazis and white supremacists along with their shills, the secessionists.

[Illyria]

HSM to African leaders in Rome: To Somalia, the infamous MoU is similar to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

[Che -Guevara]

47 minutes ago, Illyria said:

This had the reverse effect in that she is gaining popularity with the right people incl. people in the wider Muslim world, Africa, Asia etc, whilst enraging neo-Nazis and white supremacists along with their shills, the secessionists.

Perhaps use the event for fundraising.

[Che -Guevara]

 

[Illyria]

8 minutes ago, Che -Guevara said:

Perhaps use the event for fundraising.

She has been exploiting it, and raking in donations from the globe building her war chest for the next election.

[Illyria]

10 minutes ago, Che -Guevara said:

 

Like many politicians, Guled likes to talk the good talk out in the open, but deep down he is a stooge. He revealed his true face during the SSC conflict. In these speeches, he is only trying to resuscitate SL's image.