It appears that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Somaliland and Ethiopia will be implemented after Somaliland holds its upcoming elections, which are scheduled for later this year.
According to Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s office, the Ethiopian government is waiting for the election results and the selection of Somaliland’s new President before moving forward with the MoU’s execution.
Somaliland will hold presidential and parliamentary elections on November 13 this year.
Early this year, Ethiopia signed an MoU with Somaliland to gain direct access to one of the latter’s ports. In return, Ethiopia would grant Somaliland the international recognition it craves as a state since breaking away from Somalia in 1991.
This agreement likely covers a range of issues, including economic cooperation, trade, and regional stability.
Ethiopia’s decision to wait until the elections indicates the significance of political leadership in Somaliland to ensure successful and mutually beneficial implementation.