Ethiopia is considering canceling the plan to recognize Somaliland

Ethiopia is considering canceling the plan to recognize Somaliland

 Ethiopia is considering canceling its plan to recognize Somaliland amid international pressure to defuse regional tensions over the proposal, sources told Bloomberg. On January 1, 2024, Ethiopia, a landlocked country, signed a memorandum of understanding with the separatist administration of Somaliland allowing it to access the Gulf of Aden for 50 years in exchange for recognition.

The Somali government accused Ethiopia of violating its sovereignty, considering the memorandum of understanding null and void, and made it clear that it would defend the integrity of its territory against any Ethiopian aggression.

During talks in Nairobi with Kenyan President William Ruto, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed expressed his willingness to back down from the most controversial elements of the deal to restore relations with Somalia. Ethiopian officials have privately told foreign officials that the country may be willing to “abandon its recognition” of Somaliland, but Ethiopia has not yet formally withdrawn from its agreement with Somaliland.