Monday May 6, 2024
Mogadishu (HOL) - The Ethiopian government has acknowledged that it has not taken measures to enforce the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) it signed with the breakaway region of Somaliland, following mounting pressure from the international community.
According to diplomatic sources, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government informed Western diplomats in Addis Ababa of its commitment to respect the territorial integrity and political unity of the Federal Republic of Somalia in accordance with the African Union Charter and international law.
Ethiopia has told the diplomats that it never promised to grant diplomatic recognition to the Somaliland administration, as part of the deal.
Last week, the outgoing United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia and Head of UNSOM, Catriona Laing, met with Ethiopian Foreign Minister Taye Atske-Selassie. He affirmed Ethiopia's stance on the political unity and territorial integrity of Somalia.
However, the Ethiopian government has not officially announced the cancellation of the MoU with Somaliland leader Muse Bihi Abdi, which allowed Ethiopia sea access and a military base in exchange for potential recognition of Somaliland.