HARGEISA: Somaliland’s Defense Minister, Abdiqani Mohamoud Ateye, has tendered his resignation in protest against a deal permitting Ethiopia to utilize a port in the breakaway Somali region. The resignation underscores growing discontent within Somaliland’s government over the handling of the agreement.
Ateye publicly criticized President Muse Bihi Abdi, alleging that the President did not consult with ministers about the deal and that he learned of it through media reports. The Defense Minister, who hails from Somaliland’s Awdal region – where Ethiopia is reportedly seeking to establish a military base in Lughaya – cited a lack of consultation and transparency in the decision-making process.
Port Deal Between Somaliland and Ethiopia
The agreement in question is believed to grant Ethiopia access to the Red Sea, and there are reports suggesting that it tacitly recognizes Somaliland’s independence. This has further escalated tensions between Somalia and Somaliland, with Somalia characterizing the deal as an “aggression.” In response, Somalia has recalled its ambassador to Addis Ababa, and Ethiopia reciprocated by recalling its ambassador to the Somali capital.
The controversy surrounding the port deal and the subsequent diplomatic fallout highlight the delicate geopolitical dynamics in the Horn of Africa. Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but is not internationally recognized as a separate state, continues to navigate complex relationships with neighboring countries.
