The Defense Minister of the self-proclaimed republic of Somaliland has tendered his resignation in objection to an agreement that allows Ethiopia entry to a seaport within the autonomous region of Somalia.
Abdiqani Mohamoud Ateye expressed dissatisfaction with Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi for failing to involve the council of ministers in discussions regarding the port deal with Ethiopia. He mentioned that they were only made aware of the agreement through media reports.
Coming from Somaliland’s Awdal region, Mr. Ateye’s resignation stems from Ethiopia’s purported intention to establish a military base in the coastal town of Lughaya within that area.
According to reports, the memorandum of understanding (MoU) supposedly permits landlocked Ethiopia passage to the Red Sea in return for recognizing Somaliland as an autonomous state.
Somalia has denounced the agreement as an act of “aggression” and has recalled its ambassador to Addis Ababa.
Further tensions have arisen between Ethiopia and Somalia, with reports indicating the return of Ethiopia’s ambassador to Somalia to Addis Ababa amid the diplomatic discord between the two nations.
