Ethiopia should abandon naval base deal with Somaliland

Ethiopia signed a naval military base deal with the separatist Somaliland region on January 1 this year, leasing 20km (12 miles) of coastline in Zeila area for 50 years. The deal also reportedly links the sea access with Ethiopia's formal recognition of Somaliland. The specific details of the MoU have not been published, but this is an unprecedented move by Ethiopia as it violates the UN and AU Charters. The AU Chairperson refrained from condemning Ethiopia's action but said it is imperative to respect unity, territorial integrity and full sovereignty of all AU member states.

Somalia accused Ethiopia of aggression, and of undermining its territorial integrity. Somalia's Parliament immediately passed a law that nullified the agreement. Ethiopia appears undeterred and followed a week later by a military cooperation discussion with Somaliland region which has sparked fears of a military confrontation with Somalia.