Ethiopia–Somaliland relations

Ethiopia-Somaliland relations
Map indicating locations of Somaliland and Ethiopia

Somaliland
Ethiopia

Ethiopia–Somaliland relations (Somali: Xiriirka Itoobiya iyo Somaliland) refers to the relationship between the Republic of Somaliland and the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. The two countries[citation needed] have formal diplomatic relations. Ethiopia has a consulate in Hargeisa and Somaliland has a representative office in Addis Ababa.[1][2][3][4]

History

Antiquity and Early modern period

Relations between Somaliland and Ethiopia date back at least to the period or empire of the Adal Sultanate and Abyssinia. The relationship between the two polities was often tense, culminating in the 16th century with the inconclusive Ethiopian–Adal war.[5][6]

The Ethiopian Empire signed a number of treaties with the British government during the period of the British Mandate over Somaliland. The most famous of these treaties is the Anglo-Ethiopian Treaty of 1897, which was aimed at demarcating the border between Ethiopia and Somaliland.[7] The agreement also established the freedom of trade and movement between the two sides.

Modern period

Following its establishment in 1982, the Somali National Movement decided to ally with the communist Derg regime in Ethiopia against the forces of the Somali dictator Siad Barre.[8][9] Relations between the Republic of Somaliland and Ethiopia have generally been positive since Somaliland declared independence on May 18, 1991. The state of affairs marks a departure from the historical animosity between Somalia and Ethiopia.

In 1994, Ethiopia and Somaliland reached security and trade agreements that provided for an expanded strategic partnership. Among the most important of the agreements was a treaty providing for non-formal diplomatic relations between the two countries. Ethiopia and Somaliland also signed an extradition treaty.[10]

On 1 January 2024, Ethiopia and Somaliland signed a memorandum of understanding giving Ethiopia access to the Red Sea via the port of Berbera in return for recognizing Somaliland.[11][12]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Ethiopia Consulate in Hargeisa". www.consulate-info.com.
  2. ^ "Ethiopian Consulate General in Hargeisa, Somaliland". www.embassypages.com.
  3. ^ Mulat, Addisalem (August 28, 2020). "Ethiopia: 'Ethiopia, Somaliland Consolidating Bilateral Ties for Lasting Regional Peace, Development.'". allAfrica.com.
  4. ^ Rudincová, Kateřina (2016). "Ethiopian Foreign Policy in the Horn of Africa". Politeja (42): 213–226. JSTOR 24920255.
  5. ^ Saheed A. Adejumobi, The History of Ethiopia, (Greenwood Press: 2006), p.178
  6. ^ Cambridge illustrated atlas, warfare: Renaissance to revolution, 1492-1792 By Jeremy Black pg 9
  7. ^ "BRITISH SOMALILAND (ANGLO-ETHIOPIAN AGREEMENT) (Hansard, 23 February 1955)". api.parliament.uk.
  8. ^ Cohen, Robin (2 November 1995). The Cambridge Survey of World Migration. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-44405-7. in return for depriving the snm of its.
  9. ^ Cordesman, Anthony H. (6 October 2016). After The Storm: The Changing Military Balance in the Middle East. Bloomsbury Academic. ISBN 978-1-4742-9257-3.
  10. ^ Hersi, Mohamed Farah (September 6, 2020). "Somaliland's new Cold War diplomacy".
  11. ^ Kheyr (2024-01-01). "Somaliland and Ethiopia: Recognition for Sea Access". Somali News in English | The Somali Digest. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
  12. ^ Endeshaw, Dawit; Sheikh, Abdi (2024-01-01). "Ethiopia signs pact to use Somaliland's Red Sea port". Reuters. Retrieved 2024-01-02.