June 27 (EUROPA PRESS) –
Ethiopian authorities have responded to speculation that a memorandum of understanding signed with the semi-autonomous Somali region of Somaliland may be cancelled, which has sparked strong criticism from Somalia, and have described the reports as “fake news”.
The office of Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has asked the population to be “cautious” in the face of “false content” circulating on the Internet about the memorandum, before insisting that official communications on “local, regional and international issues” depend of the authorities.
“Please remain vigilant against false content posted misusing our official logo,” he said, after it was reported on social media that Addis Ababa had cancelled the memorandum of understanding signed on 1 January with the Somaliland authorities.
Relations between Somalia and Ethiopia have deteriorated following Addis Ababa’s agreement with Somaliland to obtain naval and commercial access for a period of 50 years in exchange for Addis Ababa recognizing its independence. Somaliland would also obtain part of the profits from the operation of Ethiopian Airlines, the Ethiopian flag carrier.
The Somali president, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, maintained this week that Ethiopia has the right to gain access to the sea, although he stressed that this fact must be determined in line with laws and International Law and reiterated his rejection of the aforementioned agreement with Somaliland. and ruled out that Addis Ababa could open a military base in this territory.
Ethiopia lost direct access to the sea in 1993 when Eritrea gained independence after three decades of conflict. Its main trade route now runs along roads and a railway linking Addis Ababa to a port in Djibouti, one of five coastal neighbours that include Somalia, Eritrea, Sudan and Kenya.
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