"Ethiopia-Somaliland Port Deal Sparks Regional Tensions and Dialogue"
Somalia has condemned an agreement between Ethiopia and the self-declared republic of Somaliland, which Somalia considers part of its territory, as an act of aggression. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Ethiopia and Somaliland reportedly includes future Ethiopian recognition of Somaliland's independence in exchange for military access to the coast. Somalia has declared the agreement "null and void," recalled its ambassador to Ethiopia, and is seeking discussions on the matter with the UN Security Council and the African Union. The details of the agreement, which could potentially lead to a legally binding treaty, remain undisclosed, but it has escalated tensions in the region.