Ethiopia's Recognition of Somaliland Sparks Tensions in Horn of Africa

Somalia Threatens Conflict Over Port Deal, While China Expected to Remain Neutral

Ethiopia has signed a memorandum of understanding with the self-declared state of Somaliland, granting Ethiopia naval and commercial access to ports along Somaliland's coast for 50 years. In return, Ethiopia will officially recognize Somaliland as an independent country, making it the first nation to do so.
Somalia, which views Somaliland as part of its territory, has declared the deal void and threatened conflict with Ethiopia. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has signed a law repealing the memorandum of understanding.
China, which has close ties with both Ethiopia and Somalia, is expected to stay neutral in the dispute. China views the issue of Somaliland's independence as an internal matter for Somalia.
Somaliland, which declared its independence from Somalia in 1991, has not been recognized by any other country. The deal with Ethiopia could potentially legitimize Somaliland's claim to independence.
The deal has sparked tensions in the Horn of Africa, one of the world's most volatile regions. Ethiopia and Somalia previously fought a conflict in 1977-78 over a disputed region, and tensions between the two countries remain high.