This article is from the source 'rtcom' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.rt.com/africa/590065-somalia-port-memorandum-ethiopia/

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Land-locked African state’s pursuit of sea access faces obstacles Land-locked African state’s port plans blocked
(about 1 hour later)
Somalia has rejected a port agreement signed by Ethiopia and Somaliland, claiming it “violates” the sovereignty of the country Somalia has rejected an agreement signed by Ethiopia and Somaliland, claiming it “violates” the sovereignty of the country
Somalia has rejected an agreement on port access signed by Somaliland and Ethiopia, claiming the deal had no legal authority. The decision followed an emergency cabinet meeting on Tuesday. Somalia has rejected an agreement on port access signed by Somaliland and Ethiopia, claiming the deal had no legal authority. The decision followed an emergency cabinet meeting on Tuesday. Somaliland split from Somalia in 1991, but is not internationally recognized as an independent state.
A memorandum of understanding had been agreed by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and President of Somaliland Muse Bihi Abdi on Monday, which provided Addis Ababa with access to the port of Berbera. A memorandum of understanding had been agreed by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and President of Somaliland Muse Bihi Abdi on Monday, which provided Addis Ababa with 50-year access to the Red Sea port of Berbera and permission to build a naval base.
“Somaliland is part of Somalia and no deal is valid without Somalia’s approval,” Somali government spokesman Farhan Jimale said during a news conference in the capital Mogadishu. However Mogadishu rejected the deal outright, with government spokesman Farhan Jimale insisting “Somaliland is part of Somalia and no deal is valid without Somalia’s approval.” 
Somalia also recalled its ambassador to Addis Ababa in protest over the deal, Jimale added.Somalia also recalled its ambassador to Addis Ababa in protest over the deal, Jimale added.
A statement issued following Tuesday’s emergency cabinet meeting described Ethiopia’s actions as “a blatant violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia”.A statement issued following Tuesday’s emergency cabinet meeting described Ethiopia’s actions as “a blatant violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia”.
“Prime Minister Hamza [Abdi Barre] expressed determination to protect sovereignty and said that no one could violate any part of Somalia’s land, sea, and air,” it added.“Prime Minister Hamza [Abdi Barre] expressed determination to protect sovereignty and said that no one could violate any part of Somalia’s land, sea, and air,” it added.
The East African state has called for the UN, the Arab League and African Union to support its decision. The East African state has called for the UN, the Arab League and African Union to support its decision. 
Somaliland had agreed to allow landlocked Ethiopia to use its port of Berbera on the Red Sea.
The deal would see 20km (12 miles) of sea access leased to Addis Ababa for 50 years, and also provides for the construction of a military base on the coast.The deal would see 20km (12 miles) of sea access leased to Addis Ababa for 50 years, and also provides for the construction of a military base on the coast.
The Ethiopian prime minister wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that the port deal “officially recognizes the Republic of Somaliland, while Somaliland grants naval and commercial sea access on lease to Ethiopia for 50 years.”The Ethiopian prime minister wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that the port deal “officially recognizes the Republic of Somaliland, while Somaliland grants naval and commercial sea access on lease to Ethiopia for 50 years.”
Somaliland split from Somalia in 1991, but is not internationally recognized as an independent state. Meanwhile, starting from 1 January, Ethiopia, along with Egypt, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Iran, officially joined the BRICS+ group, which initially consisted of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.