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

[Che -Guevara]

7 hours ago, galbeedi said:

Even Che, deep down might not approve because Garacad could be challenged by Awdal ports because of proximity. Even when the federal government was fighting Abiy , they went straight to Addis and offered Garacad to silver plate.

 

 

I actually welcome all regions managing their internal affairs, becoming economically self-sufficient, and maintaining Somali unity/identity. I hope to see Somalis invest in other sectors as well, not just building ports.

[Che -Guevara]

5 hours ago, Xaaji Xunjuf said:

Awdal is an integral part of somaliland they are deeply rooted in Somaliland society I can’t imagine aaway that all awdalite communities  detach them from somaliland all their elders are on board with Somaliland politicians bussines people every one only the young ugaas who resides in Addis Ababa isn’t on board the Garaad clan were always sceptical with somaliland because they are a whole different clan with different ambitions really who believe their clan interest isn’t met and that they don’t share an ancestry with the rest of somaliland. Where as the duriyad and awdal clan share more then just ancestry  they are closer to each other and intertwined though I do agree with galbeedi that awdal didn’t get its fair share of development but allot of region didn’t but it hasn’t got to do with qabil but more with the centralisation formula we have adopted in somaliland  and I do believe awdal is one of the strategic places of the horn and in particular in Somaliland 

It will do Somaliland some good to listen to the disgruntled masses. It will save you a lot of trouble.

 

That said, if reer Awdal go thru with their objective of becoming a federal state, Muse Bixi will react violently, but his sub-clan (Sacad Muse) is smart enough not to turn the region into a war zone. Unlike their kin (HJ), Sacad Muse wants their region to be economically vibrant and politically effective. They can't have that if they go to war with their neighbors. 

[Xaaji Xunjuf]

There is no necessity for conflict in Somaliland , for the people of Awdal are among the most composed and judicious within Somaliland. During the tumultuous Habar Habar wars of the early 1990s, it was they who established the groundwork for the inaugural peace agreement between the two predominant clans. This very  act of diplomacy paved the way for the subsequent Conference for Somaliland the Borama conference . As long as figures such as Sultan Dhawal and Sheikh Ali Jawhar remain, the future of Somaliland shall remain secure and prosperous.

[Arafaat]

15 hours ago, Xaaji Xunjuf said:

There is no necessity for conflict in Somaliland 

Perhaps you meant to state in ‘western parts’ of Somaliland you want peace and diplomacy, as you have repeatedly beaten the drums of conflict and war in the eastern regions, and stated conflict there is ‘unavoidable’.

 

[Xaaji Xunjuf]

Different regions require distinct approaches

[Xaaji Xunjuf]

 

Abtigiis fully behind the MOU what an Ethiopian Nationalist 

[Arafaat]

17 hours ago, Xaaji Xunjuf said:

Different regions require distinct approaches

 

Your candor here is appreciated. 

[Xaaji Xunjuf]

 

[Xaaji Xunjuf]

Thousands of Somaliland Soldiers Enter Ethiopia for Training

Newsaddis

Thousands of Somaliland soldiers have entered Ethiopia for military training.

The training program aims to bolster Somaliland’s defense capabilities through advanced instruction in asymmetric warfare tactics, command and control with focus secure communication, weapons systems familiarity, and combat readiness.

Reportedly, thousands of Somaliland soldiers entered Ethiopia for military training on Tuesday July 9, 2024. “We saw many Tata cars passing by carrying Somali youths,” residents of Diredawa region of Ethiopia said this week. The state-run Somaliland television station showed thousands of army personnel on their way to Ethiopia for military training.

“The Chief of General Staff of Somaliland, Major General Nuh Ismail, accompanied the trainees on their way to the training,” the state-run Somaliland television station said in a report.

The Ethiopian government has not said anything about the military training. From the Somaliland side, there is no word on what kind of training they will receive, other than saying that the number of members of the army is in “thousands”.

The television station showed several buses and trucks leaving Somaliland and crossing the border town of Wajale into Ethiopia.

Around six months ago, Somaliland’s top military officers visited Addis Ababa and discussed military cooperation with their Ethiopian counterparts.

Ethiopia and Somaliland signed a controversial Memorandum of Understanding in January this year. The MoU is opposed by Somalia which calls it a violation of its territorial integrity and sovereignty. The MoU, if implemented, would give landlocked Ethiopia access to sea through Somaliland in return for recognizing Somaliland as a country. Somaliland is internationally recognized part of Somalia. But for the last 3 decades, it has been existing as an independent entity, lacking international recognition.

While Ethiopia is set to train Somaliland forces, Somalia’s forces are being trained by Eritrea and Egypt. Both the countries are not good terms with Ethiopia.

The Somaliland military training program in Ethiopia has been launched at a time when Somaliland and Djibouti and involved in a war of words. Somaliland accuses Djibouti of working to undermine Ethiopia-Somaliland MoU by backing SSC Khatumo and Awdal movements.

 

[Xaaji Xunjuf]

Somaliland foreign minister is in Ethiopia apparently he is there for talks and he is there to prepare for a larger delegation that will arrive in Addis Ababa shortly 

 

[maakhiri1]

Haye Xaaji, what is the plan when Ethiopia collapses? Who will help you counting on

[Xaaji Xunjuf]

Let’s see if Ethiopia collapses which I doubt. Really the only people that can make Ethiopië collapse. Are Amhara and Amhara love Ethiopia more then gallas love the rule of Ethiopia.

[Che -Guevara]

Ethiopia exists only in Addis Abeba, the Somali region, Afar region, and southern regions. The rest of the country is controlled by various groups with contradictory goals. It will take a lot of work to keep it together.

[Xaaji Xunjuf]

I doubt  apart from the Amhara fano militia. Since when did  abiye lose control. Of the entire tigray and the galla regions which are the significant part of the bulk of his base. Can some one post a map what part the government controls and what part the militia control 

[Xaaji Xunjuf]

Somaliland doubles down on Ethiopia MoU despite Mogadishu opposition

 

Tuesday July 23, 2024


The historic Red Sea port of Zeila (Seylac in Somali) in Somaliland, which is a focal point of Ethiopia's interest as part of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two nations. The agreement aims to provide Ethiopia with vital sea access through this strategic port in exchange for potential recognition of Somaliland's sovereignty and economic cooperation. (Wikimedia Commons/CC/ Abdihakimper)

Hargeisa (HOL) — Somaliland has doubled down on its commitment to a contentious Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ethiopia, promising economic gains and international recognition while sparking fierce opposition from Mogadishu and regional players.

"The Government of the Republic of Somaliland reaffirms the significance of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Somaliland and Ethiopia, emphasizing its focus on mutual benefits and cooperative efforts between the two sisterly neighbouring nations," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Somaliland stated on Tuesday.

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"It is regrettable that the Mogadishu Administration, under the leadership of Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud, which is not in full control of its own capital, persists in attempts to destabilize Somaliland through support for local militia groups. Meanwhile, reports indicate their weaponry and arms are falling into the hands of Alshabaab and clan militias, exacerbating regional instability," the statement added.

Since declaring its independence from Somalia in 1991, the breakaway Republic of Somaliland has sought stability, democracy, and self-governance. Somaliland describes Mogadishu as lacking democratic legitimacy due to its selection process.

Since its 1993 split from Eritrea, Ethiopia has been landlocked and seeks maritime access to reduce its dependence on Djibouti. The MoU includes provisions for Ethiopia to gain sea access and establish a military base in Somaliland. In return, Somaliland anticipates Ethiopia's potential recognition of its sovereignty, although the latter has sometimes been unclear about the deal's specifics.

The Mogadishu administration strongly opposes the Somaliland-Ethiopia deal, considering it a violation of Somalia's sovereignty and territorial integrity. President Mohamoud nullified the MoU shortly after it was signed, accusing Ethiopia of attempting to annex Somali territory. Diplomatic relations between Somalia and Ethiopia have deteriorated, with Somalia expelling Ethiopia's Ambassador to Mogadishu and ordering the closure of Ethiopian consulates in Hargeisa and Garowe. Backchannels established by Kenya and Turkey to mediate the dispute have been unsuccessful, with Somalia stating that Ethiopia must rescind the MoU before any talks can begin.

Meanwhile, officials in Somaliland claimed that Ethiopia upgraded its consular office in Hargeisa to full embassy status in late May.

International organizations, including the African Union (AU), the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and the Arab Economic Forum, have also opposed the deal. The swift condemnation has reportedly led Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to reconsider it.

Critics argue that the agreement could destabilize the region, potentially escalating conflict and allowing militant groups like Al-Shabaab to exploit the situation.

Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi promised that the deal would help secure freedom of navigation in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, regions prone to attacks by Houthi rebels and other threats. "The historic memorandum of understanding between Somaliland and Ethiopia will provide us with a clear pathway towards international recognition," he said from Hargeisa.

Officials in Hargeisa anticipate a finalized agreement soon. Somaliland's Minister of Information, Ali Mohamed Hassan (Ali Marehan), hinted this week at the upcoming implementation of the Somaliland-Ethiopia agreement.