The US issued a statement on the Ethiopia-Somaliland MoU.

The US issued a statement on the Ethiopia-Somaliland MoU. The US State Department has called for diplomatic dialogue to de-escalate tensions in the Horn of Africa following a “historic”  memorandum of understanding between Ethiopia and Somaliland granting Ethiopia sea access in return for international recognition for Somaliland.

The State Department spokesperson, Matthew Miller, addressing questions regarding the US position on the agreement during a press briefing on Wednesday said that the US is concerned by the reports from the region.  “We join other partners in expressing our serious concern as well about the resulting spike in tensions in the Horn of Africa,” he said. 

He reaffirmed the United States’ acknowledgment of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia, as defined “within its 1960 borders”.

Further probed on whether the U.S. believes the deal should be rescinded, the spokesperson refrained from a direct answer, reiterating the call for diplomatic engagement. “We urge all stakeholders to engage in diplomatic dialogue.”

Meanwhile, the African Union Commission, through Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat, has urged Ethiopia and Somalia to “refrain from any action that unintentionally may lead to a deterioration of the good relations between the two neighboring Eastern African countries.” 

The Chairperson stressed in a statement “the imperative to respect unity, territorial integrity and full sovereignty of all African Union member states including the Federal Republic of Somalia and the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.”

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Ethiopia and Somaliland, which could grant Ethiopia sea access in exchange for supporting Somaliland’s quest for international recognition, has been rejected by Somalia.