Ethiopia, Somaliland Agree MoU over Access to Seaport

Ethiopia and Somaliland have signed a memorandum of understanding which will help realize Ethiopia’s ambition to secure seaport access, the PM office said today.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and the visiting President of Somaliland Muse Bihe Abdi inked the MoU in Addis Ababa on Monday.

Following the signing, the PM office has called the MoU for Partnership and Cooperation “historic”, adding it is “intended to serve as a framework for the multi-sectoral partnership between the two sides.”

The MoU “shall pave the way to realize the aspiration of Ethiopia to secure access to the sea and diversify its access to seaport,” the Office said. “It also strengthens their security, economic and political partnership.”

The MoU further indicates the pathway to bolster their political and diplomatic relations. It “reaffirms the principled position of the Ethiopian Government to advance mutual interests through cooperation on the basis of reciprocity,” the PM Office states.

The MoU, according to the PM Office, “ushers in a new chapter of cooperation and has a huge significance for regional Integration in the horn, and “also enables Ethiopia to enhance its role in maintaining regional peace and security.”