MOGADISHU, (HAN) – Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has deleted social media posts that promoted a controversial Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with Somaliland, raising questions about Ethiopia’s diplomatic posture in the Horn of Africa.
The posts, which were shared on official channels shortly after the MoU was signed on January 1, 2024, described the agreement as a “divine intervention” fulfilling Ethiopia’s long-standing aspiration for access to a seaport. This language, widely criticized as provocative by Somali officials, had drawn regional attention and sparked debates on social media and in diplomatic circles.
The MoU, signed between Abiy and former Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi, grants Ethiopia a 20-kilometer stretch of Somaliland’s coastline near Hargeisa, providing Addis Ababa with strategic access to the Gulf of Aden.
The agreement also allows Ethiopia to establish a naval base and expand trade routes, raising concerns in Somalia, which regards Somaliland as part of its sovereign territory.
Observers note that the deleted posts came amid a year-long wave of regional pressures, as Somalia and other regional actors pushed back against Ethiopia’s growing engagement with Somaliland.
Analysts suggest that the removal may be linked to a sensitive diplomatic recalibration, including ongoing efforts to maintain positive relations with Somalia while pursuing Ethiopia’s economic and security interests.
The MoU also included subtle hints that Ethiopia might consider recognizing Somaliland’s independence—a bold move no UN member state has taken—further complicating relations in the Horn of Africa. Somali officials had repeatedly condemned the agreement, describing it as a violation of Somalia’s territorial integrity.
Political analysts suggest that the deletion of the posts could signal a more cautious approach by Prime Minister Abiy, as Ethiopia navigates a complex geopolitical landscape where economic ambitions intersect with fragile regional alliances.
Ethiopia has not issued an official statement explaining the removal, leaving observers and diplomats speculating about the government’s next steps in its policy toward Somaliland and Somalia.
