Somalia will "defend itself" if Ethiopia proceed with plans to establish a naval base in the breakaway region of Somaliland and consider recognizing it as a separate sovereign state, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud told media.
"If Ethiopia insists, Somalia will resist and will refuse. If they come into the country, Somalia will do everything that it can to defend itself," he was quoted by the outlet as saying.
Earlier, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed stated that Ethiopia does not intend to instigate a conflict with Somalia and is solely focused on addressing its need for sea access.
On January 1, Ethiopia inked a memorandum of understanding with Somaliland that granted the landlocked Horn of Africa nation access to the Red Sea and the ability to establish a naval base.
On January 6, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud signed a law "nullifying" the memorandum of understanding between Somaliland and Ethiopia. Then, Somalia urged the United Nations and the African Union to condemn the agreement between the countries.