Hargeisa, Somaliland – The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Somaliland, H.E. Abdirahman Dahir Adan, has made a strong statement regarding the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the former Somaliland administration and Ethiopia. Addressing the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Somaliland Parliament, he expressed his concerns over the lack of transparency surrounding the agreement, which pertains to Ethiopia's access to the sea through Somaliland and Ethiopia's potential recognition of Somaliland's sovereignty.
The Minister underscored that Somaliland's sovereignty and pursuit of international recognition should never be compromised or traded. He stated, "Somaliland will not be abused for getting recognized. We will not enter into agreements that lack the approval of the relevant committees and institutions."
H.E. Adan criticized the former administration of President Muse Bihi for what he described as a unilateral decision to sign the MoU without involving Somaliland's legislative bodies. "When President Muse Bihi became frustrated with the lack of progress in talks with Somalia, he made a tough decision to trade the sea for recognition. However, decisions of this magnitude cannot be made unilaterally without the input of the relevant committees and councils," he stated.
The Foreign Minister pointed out that neither he nor his political party has seen the MoU document. He asked the committee, "As parliamentarians, have you seen this document? As a party, we have not. The only information we have is based on what former President and Ethiopian officials have said, which often contradict each other."
Ethiopia’s Role and Unfulfilled Promises
The MoU, signed in January 2024 by former President Muse Bihi and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in Addis Ababa, promised Ethiopia access to the sea through Somaliland. In return, Somaliland was purportedly assured of Ethiopia's recognition. However, Minister Adan emphasized that there is no concrete evidence of Ethiopia making such a commitment. "We are only aware of discussions and speculation. Ethiopia has not officially committed to recognizing Somaliland," he remarked.
The agreement sparked significant tensions with Somalia, which claimed sovereignty over the disputed maritime territory. These tensions culminated in December 2024 when Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan mediated discussions in Ankara, reportedly resulting in Ethiopia retracting its commitment to the MoU. Somalia hailed the outcome, but Ethiopia has yet to officially confirm or deny this development.
A New Administration, A New Approach
The newly elected government of President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi "Irro" and the Waddani Party faces scrutiny for its perceived inclination towards Somali unity, a stance that has drawn criticism from proponents of Somaliland's independence. However, President Irro's administration has repeatedly refuted these allegations, maintaining that they are committed to Somaliland's sovereignty.
Minister Adan reaffirmed Somaliland’s steadfast dedication to its independence, stating, "We will not enter hell for the sake of recognition. Somaliland cannot be abused by false promises or traded for political gains."
Since declaring independence unilaterally in 1991 following the collapse of Somalia's central government, Somaliland has maintained relative peace and developed functioning state institutions. Despite this progress, no country has officially recognized its sovereignty, leaving Somaliland in a diplomatic limbo.
The Foreign Minister’s statement highlights the delicate balance Somaliland must maintain as it seeks recognition while protecting its sovereignty and ensuring that agreements are made transparently and in the best interests of its people.
The MoU controversy serves as a stark reminder of the challenges Somaliland faces in navigating complex regional dynamics while pursuing its long-standing goal of international recognition.
