The Ethiopia-Somaliland naval base deal is a violation of international law

[Deeq A.]

On January 1, 2024, Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Republic of Somaliland – an unrecognized secessionist region within the Federal Republic of Somalia. The MOU grants Ethiopia twenty kilometers of coastal land in the Awdal province for fifty years to build a navy, in exchange for Ethiopia recognizing Somaliland as a sovereign state. The Federal Government of Somalia, which is the internationally recognized government, has fiercely objected to the MOU, calling it “null and void.” The international community, including the United States, European Union, African Union, and Arab League have called for respecting Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Source: Hiiraan Online