Ethio-Somaliland MoU Practical Move for Regional Integration, Says Somaliland  Diplomat

Addis Ababa, February 3/2024 (ENA) The  Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Ethiopia and Somaliland is a practical move for regional integration in the east Africa region and beyond, Somaliland Chargé D'affaires to South Sudan Abdirizak Ahmed Hassen told ENA.

The MoU for Partnership and Cooperation between Ethiopia and Somaliland is intended to serve as a framework for the multisectoral partnership between the two sides.

The chargé d'affaires told ENA that  the MoU between Ethiopia and Somaliland is not only   advantageous to both sides, but also a practical response for regional integration.

“It is something which comes from the heart of the people, and they have reached this joint declaration of intent willingly. It is not something (imposed from) outside. This is the interest of the Ethiopian and Somaliland people,” he noted.

According to Hassen, the MoU is also exemplary to the aspiration of the African Union (AU) for having regional integration.

As one of the largest market in Africa and a sizable economy, Ethiopia will bring opportunities to Somaliland in terms of trade, railway construction, aviation development, job creation,  among others, he stated.

Similarly, Somaliland would also allow Ethiopia to facilitate its import-export trade by providing seaport; and its products will be easily accessible for regional and global markets.  

The chargé d'affaires further pointed out that the MoU is also a good precedent for other landlocked east African and other African countries to expand their access to seaport like South Sudan.

Recall that Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and President Muse Bihi Abdi inked a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Addis Ababa on January 1, 2024.