"Ethiopia Secures Red Sea Port Access Through Historic Somaliland Pact"
Ethiopia has signed a memorandum of understanding with the self-declared but internationally unrecognized state of Somaliland to lease a stretch of its coastline, potentially giving Ethiopia access to the sea. The agreement, which includes plans for a marine force base, aims to strengthen security, economic, and political ties between the two entities. Somaliland's President Muse Bihi Abdi also mentioned that Ethiopia would recognize Somaliland's independence in the future. However, Somalia, which claims Somaliland as part of its territory, has rejected the agreement, emphasizing its sovereignty and territorial integrity. The deal comes as Ethiopia seeks alternatives to the Djibouti port, which it has relied on since Eritrea's secession in 1993.