Somaliland's government remains committed to a controversial agreement with Ethiopia to lease part of its coastline for a naval base despite mounting opposition from Somalia and increasing international criticism. Speaking to a crowd of hundreds in Tog-Wajaale, President Muse Bihi Abdi vowed the deal would move forward, dismissing attempts to block…
The offer by Djibouti’s Foreign Minister Mahmoud Ali Youssouf that would give Ethiopia access to the port of Tadjoura, about 100 kilometres (62 miles) from the border with Ethiopia, looks like the most serious and credible attempt to ease tensions that are threatening to engulf the Horn of Africa region (AC Vol 65 No 16, Djibouti…
By Farid Adrash Independent Analyst In light of Somalia’s recent intensification of pressure on Somaliland, including directives to airlines, financial institutions, and trade partners to refrain from using the name “Somaliland” in favor of “Somalia,” the de facto independent state is considering a comprehensive range of retaliatory measures. This move by…
By Dr Mohamed Abdillahi Omar momar@hotmail.co.uk Somaliland’s fragile democracy comes to test once again on November 13 when the country holds its presidential elections. This will be yet another big moment for the country that for the last three decades fought to gain international recognition, an effort that remains…
Somalia has expressed anger about how FlyDubai and Ethiopian Airlines work in Somaliland and threatened that the flights of those planes will be stopped if they don't respect the independence of Somalia. The Somali government has requested the FlyDubai Airlines companies and Ethiopian Airlines to protect the independence of Somalia,…
By Nosmot Gbadamosi A second round of Turkish-led indirect talks between Somalia and Ethiopia ended last Tuesday without an agreement. Relations between the two countries broke down in January, when Addis Ababa announced a port deal with Somaliland—a breakaway region that claims independence from Somalia. Landlocked Ethiopia agreed to lease 20 km (12…
Somalian President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said on Saturday that the country refused to negotiate with Ethiopia until it recognized Somalia as an independent and sovereign state. The statement came amid negotiations between Somalia and Ethiopia, the second round of which took place on Monday and Tuesday in Ankara at the initiative of…
Ethiopia is intensifying its diplomatic efforts to secure a reliable and safe route to the sea, according to a statement from Ambassador Nebiyu Tedla, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This pursuit, long a strategic priority for the landlocked nation, has gained new urgency under Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s…
Somaliland has vowed to push ahead with controversial plans to lease part of its territory to Ethiopia and criticized Turkish efforts to mediate an end to a standoff over the deal. Somaliland agreed in January to allow Ethiopia to build a port on its coastline in exchange for a stake…
Britain’s former defense secretary Sir Gavin Williamson has urged Foreign Secretary David Lammy to listen to calls for the UK to recognize Somaliland as a sovereign nation, The Independent reported on Friday.“This is an important symbolic step and I hope the foreign secretary listens to the growing cross-party voices on…
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