Ethiopia's Controversial Red Sea Access Deal with Somaliland Sparks Regional Tensions

Ethiopia has signed a preliminary agreement with the self-declared breakaway region of Somaliland, granting Ethiopia commercial and military access to a port on the Red Sea for 50 years. In exchange, Ethiopia will recognize Somaliland as an independent nation and Somaliland will gain a stake in Ethiopian Airlines. The deal has sparked condemnation from Somalia, which considers the agreement "null and void," and has raised concerns among other regional players like Eritrea and Egypt due to the strategic implications for the Red Sea corridor. The agreement is not yet legally binding but could lead to a formal treaty after further negotiations.