Ethiopia Secures Historic Access to Somaliland's Red Sea Ports

Ethiopia has signed a memorandum of understanding with the breakaway Somali region of Somaliland, granting Ethiopia access to a stretch of Somaliland's coastline to establish a marine force base. This move aims to enhance the security, economic, and political partnership between the two entities. Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia over 30 years ago but lacks international recognition, anticipates that Ethiopia will recognize its independence as part of the agreement. The Somali government, which considers Somaliland part of its territory, has expressed its opposition to the deal, emphasizing Somalia's indivisibility and sovereignty.