Ethiopia has dismissed claims it recognizes Somaliland as an independent state noting it stands for the unity of Somalia.
“Somaliland is part of the union of Somalia. It is not recognized. The news that Ethiopia and other countries do recognize it is not true,” Foreign Affairs spokesman Dina Mufti has said.
Mufti added, “As a matter of respecting the unity and sovereignty of a country, we are treating Somalis as one. We support the restoration of stability there.”
The remarks follow intense diplomatic interests in Somaliland that has seen Egypt and Ethiopia make forays into the breakaway following disputes over the refilling of the GERD dam.
Somaliland and Taiwan announced in early July establishment of diplomatic ties which has since seen both sides appoint representatives to each other’s territories.
Ethiopia has for a long time maintained close relations with Somaliland especially during the reign of TPLF prior to the coming of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed who has gravitated towards Mogadishu.
It will be the biggest mistake to cross the threshold of recognition if the Somaliland government revives and resumes stalled talks with Somalia Executive Summary Tensions between Somalia and Somaliland remain high. The core bone of contention is still Somaliland’s political status in light of its 1991 declaration of independence,…
Somaliland declared itself an independent state in 1991. It used colonial boundary lines to separate itself from Somalia. More than three decades later, however, it has yet to gain international recognition. It has had a difficult relationship with Somalia. A recent memorandum of understanding to grant landlocked Ethiopia access to…
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has warned Ethiopia against taking steps to implement a controversial port deal it brokered with the breakaway region of Somaliland. Under a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed on January 1, Somaliland leased landlocked Ethiopia 20km (12 miles) of its coastland around the port of Berbera,…
