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Hargeisa demands recognition before granting Addis Ababa access to sea

Somaliland Foreign Minister Dr Essa Kayd with French Senators Olivier Cadic Hugues Saury and Jean Baptiste Lemonye during an official visit to France on March 14,2024. Photo: X/Somalilandmfa

By Mwangi Maina | 16 Mar 2024

While in Paris, Kayd stated in an interview that the focus of the deal is for Ethiopia to recognise Somaliland as a sovereign state in exchange for a military naval base.

The breakaway region of Somaliland maintains its stance of not implementing the contentious deal with Ethiopia until Addis Ababa extends official recognition, indicating fractures in the controversial agreement signed in January.

Somaliland's top diplomat, Essa Kayd, has been in Paris, France, this week, seeking to drum up French support.

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While in Paris, Kayd stated in an interview that the focus of the deal is for Ethiopia to recognise Somaliland as a sovereign state in exchange for a military naval base.

The second priority involves Addis diverting 30 per cent of its imports and exports to Berbera port, with Djibouti handling the remaining 70 per cent.

He clarified that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) carries no legal obligations, indicating it's non-binding and serves as an intent to move towards a bilateral agreement that would be legally binding.

Kayd noted that President Muse Bihi would name a political committee soon that will sit with Addis Ababa to formally negotiate.

Currently, Addis Ababa faces pressure from the international community to reconsider its decision.

The African Union and regional countries, including Egypt and Turkey, have strongly opposed the deal and reiterated their support for Somalia's sovereignty and territorial integrity.