Following Somalia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ denunciation of the Somaliland-Ethiopia Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) as a sovereignty violation and regional peace threat, Somaliland has stated that the agreement is built on mutual respect and shared goals for regional stability.
According to a press release from the Somaliland on Sunday, termed Somalia’s stance as an overt breach of international norms and an infringement on its people’s right to self-determination.
The discord stems from the MoU signed on New Year’s Day, which irked Somalia by enabling Ethiopia to set up a naval base on the Somaliland coast. Somaliland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs underlined the pact’s importance in maintaining territorial integrity and fostering peaceful coexistence and regional cooperation. “We urge Somalia to abandon its outdated claims and respect the aspirations and future prospects of millions of Somalilanders,” the statement said, calling for acknowledgment and respect from its neighbor.
Somaliland said that declaring its independence, underlines the constitutional foundation approved by its citizens in 2001, guiding its democratic elections and governance.
“The legitimately elected government has complete authority to engage in agreements or treaties with any state or entity, subject to final approval by the people’s representatives,” Somaliland asserted, dismissing any doubts about its foreign dealings’ legitimacy.
Somalia has labelled the agreement “null and void,” arguing that it contradicts its national constitution, which disallows regional administrations from autonomously entering foreign agreements.
Somaliland called for cooperation and dialogue to ensure a peaceful outcome; however, the dispute over the Ethiopia MoU presents a considerable challenge to regionl diplomacy and stability. The international community, including the United States, the European Union, and the African Union, has voiced concern over the rising tensions.
