Authorities in Somaliland have reiterated that their bilateral agreement with Ethiopia, centered on granting sea access in exchange for recognition, remains unaffected by the recent diplomatic understanding between Somalia and Ethiopia in Ankara, Türkiye.

Somaliland’s Special Envoy to the African Union, Abdulahi Mohammud, underscored the distinct nature of their engagement with Ethiopia, stating, “The relationship between Somalia and Ethiopia is entirely their concern. We remain focused on our own affairs.” Similarly, Somaliland’s newly inaugurated President, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, affirmed his administration’s dedication to upholding the agreement, emphasizing, “The Memorandum of Understanding we signed with Ethiopia is binding and remains in effect. Ethiopia’s engagements with Somalia are unrelated to this agreement and do not alter our position.”

These statements reflect Somaliland’s resolute pursuit of its strategic objectives while navigating the region’s evolving political dynamics. By maintaining a clear distinction between its bilateral ties with Ethiopia and the broader Somalia-Ethiopia relationship, Somaliland signals its determination to assert its interests on the regional stage.