By Dawan Africa - Reporter
Addis Ababa: -The Ethiopian Government has provided further details about the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the breakaway republic of Somalia on January 1st, leasing 20 kilometers of coastline along the red sea to Ethiopia.
Redwan Hussein, National Security Advisor to the Prime Minister of Ethiopia said in an interview with local media that the MoU with Somaliland gives opportunity to the next generations of Ethiopians, stressing the agreement suited 100 years (a century) but a 50-year contract which also sounded good, he said.
“We’re getting sea access at an area very close to us, it is called ‘Lug-haye’. the agreement is based on 50-year contract, but for us, we would have liked to 99 to 100 years. Even if it is 50 year-contract, it is for two generations. First it expands opportunities. The image of the world as well as the one of Ethiopia will change at that time”, Hussein said in the interview.
Redwan revealed that Ethiopia will recognize Somaliland as sovereign as state when sea access deal and building of military base for Ethiopia in area are implemented successfully, adding that shares on country’s telecom and Airlines Carries will be next.
Somaliland side did not provide such comment, nor it shared explanation about the MoU with people under its control so far as though the administration is facing mounting pressure domestically and Internationally after MoU with Ethiopia emerged five days ago.
The Federal Government of Somalia refuted the deal, terming it illegal and null and void while receiving solidarity over respect its sovereignty and integrity.
