Somaliland, a semi-autonomous region of Somalia, is set to sign an agreement with Ethiopia soon on the use of Berbera port, Ethiopian newspaper Addis Standard reported. The document, which envisages the transshipment of 30% of Ethiopia's exports through Somaliland's Berbera port, is expected to be signed within two months.
According to Somaliland Ports Authority director Saeed Hassan Abdullahi, the region has an "optimal export corridor for Ethiopia" and the necessary logistical and customs arrangements have already been worked out.
"Berbera is the best option in this sense, we are preparing a transit agreement. Once it is signed, we will be able to handle 30 percent of Ethiopian exports in the first year," the newspaper quoted him as saying. "The document, which will be an embodiment of the earlier MoU between Ethiopia and Somaliland, is expected to be signed within two months."
On January 1, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Somaliland's leader Musa Bihi Abdi signed a memorandum of understanding that guarantees Ethiopia access to Somaliland's seaports. According to the Addis Standard, the breakaway Somali region offered Ethiopia the opportunity to establish a naval base on its territory in exchange for recognition as a sovereign state.
Somali authorities have said they intend to challenge the memorandum, which they believe violates the country's sovereignty. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud indicated that Mogadishu would not hesitate to take action against Addis Ababa over the agreement.
Following this, Alemeshet Degife, Senior Advisor to the Chief of General Staff of the Ethiopian Armed Forces, said that Addis Ababa is putting the armed forces on alert to prevent both internal and external attempts to destabilize the country.
The African Union Peace and Security Council called on Ethiopia and Somalia to exercise restraint, de-escalate and engage in productive dialogue.
Somaliland is recognized by the international community as part of Somalia, but the Somaliland authorities unilaterally declared state sovereignty in the spring of 1991.