The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Ethiopia and Somaliland, a region Somalia’s federal government regards as part of its own territory, has attracted considerable attention in the Horn of Africa. Inked at the start of 2024, the MoU seeks to grant Ethiopia access to the Red Sea in return for the recognition of Somaliland. Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has strongly criticized the agreement, accusing Ethiopia of violating Somalia’s “sovereignty and territorial integrity.” Ethiopia, however, maintains that it has a right to secure access to the sea.
Somalia strengthened its ties with Ethiopia’s rivals, particularly Egypt and Eritrea forming what spectators describe ‘Axis against Ethiopia’. The move aims to pressure Ethiopia to reconsider its position over the MoU signed with Somaliland.
Amid these heightened regional tensions, Somaliland’s President Muse Bihi Abdi announced that his administration is advancing with the MoU, asserting that “a formal legal agreement is imminent.” Yet, the approaching presidential and legislative elections on 13 November, 2024, present a challenge to the incumbent President Abdi and his party, the Kulmiye Peace, Unity, and Development Party, which currently holds 30 out of 82 parliamentary seats.
The primary challenger in the election is the Somaliland National Party, commonly known as Waddani. Founded in 2012, Waddani presently occupies 31 seats in parliament, holding a one-seat advantage over Kulmiye.
Ahead of the November election, senior leaders from Waddani visited Addis Abeba recently, drawing attention to the party’s stance on the MoU. In light of this, Addis Standard conducted an email interview with Mohamed Abdillahi Omar, a prominent Waddani leader and former Somaliland Foreign Minister. He discussed various issues, including the rising regional tensions since the MoU’s signing and Waddani’s position on the agreement should the party win the upcoming election.
Excerpts from the interview follow.
AS: A delegation from the Somaliland National Party, including yourself, recently visited Addis Abeba. What was the purpose of these visits, and what were the outcomes?
Omar: I came to Addis Abeba to consolidate the existing cooperation we have with Ethiopia and to strengthen the relationship between the two brotherly countries—Somaliland and Ethiopia—at a time when there is a growing regional security challenge.
I also came here to assure the Ethiopian government that our Waddani party is committed to deepening relations with Ethiopia if we win the upcoming elections on 13 November, 2024.
AS: If your party is elected in the upcoming election, what would be your position regarding the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that Somaliland signed with Ethiopia in January 2024?
Omar: Our party welcomes any partnership that mutually benefits our two neighboring people and cultivates trust between the two states. Unfortunately, the current Somaliland administration has not shared the details of the MoU with the opposition nor the parliament, yet we are the majority in the parliament. Once those details are brought to our attention, we will make an informed view based on the Somaliland’s long-term national interest and the principles of good neighborhood relations.
Our party is confident that Ethiopia is genuine in its relationship with Somaliland, and we look forward to further cooperation in many areas, including trade, security, and energy.
AS: What is your party’s policy toward advancing Somaliland’s long-standing quest for independence and international recognition?
Somaliland has the right to reach an agreement with any country.”
Omar: Our vision is to establish a Somaliland, assured of its place in the world as a sovereign, peaceful, prosperous, and democratic nation.
With internal cohesion and perseverance, we will strive to achieve international recognition. Self-determination is an inalienable right of the people of Somaliland and a key overarching goal of our foreign policy. If we win next month’s election, we will prioritize our quest for recognition and our commitment to sustaining peace.
AS: How do you assess the reaction of the Federal Government of Somalia to the signing of the MoU between Ethiopia and Somaliland?
Omar: As always, Somaliland has the right to reach an agreement with any country. We have in the past signed bilateral agreements with other nations. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a case in point.
The guiding principles are that the treaty serves the interest of the people of Somaliland and that it has to be approved by the parliament once the government of the day makes the case.
Somalia has got a lot to focus on now including its internal problems such as lawlessness and eliminating terrorist groups that are causing chaos and mayhem.
AS: Tensions are rising in the region following the signing of the MoU. How do you assess this situation?
Omar: Ethiopia’s pursuit of port access is a legitimate interest and our Berbera port is precisely built for that purpose. It is meant to be a regional commercial hub. We welcome Ethiopia’s use of our port. Under our leadership these ties will grow further.
AS: Tensions in the Horn of Africa have escalated following Egypt’s recent deployment of troops and military equipment to Somalia. How do you evaluate this development in terms of the escalating tensions within Somalia and the Horn of Africa?
Ethiopia’s pursuit of port access is a legitimate interest.”
Omar: We express our concerns over the recent maneuvers by actors within and outside the Horn of Africa whose actions may undermine efforts to ensure peace and security in the region. We call on these actors to cease their actions and urge the international community to recognize the risks posed by such activities.
AS: Somalia, Egypt, and Eritrea recently held a tripartite meeting in Asmara. Do you think this tripartite alliance further complicates the already tense situation in the region?
Omar: Our party finds the recent militarization of regional politics a risk strategy that aggravates the already fragile peace that has been painstakingly established over the years. The introduction of new foreign military forces into the neighboring Somalia, under any pretext, risks destabilization of the region and undermines peace efforts while escalating tensions that could have far-reaching and catastrophic consequences. AS
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