ADDIS ABABA (SD) -The Ethiopian government has confirmed that Addis Ababa is facing potential international consequences related to its controversial maritime agreement with Somaliland.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Demeke Mekonnen, acknowledged the potential international repercussions. However, he asserted that Ethiopia will continue implementing the Somaliland agreement.

Ethiopia’s agreement with the breakaway region Somaliland, seeking port access in exchange for potential sovereignty recognition, caused diplomatic upheaval in the Horn of Africa. Somalia views it as an attack on its sovereignty.

The European Union, the United States, the United Kingdom, China, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and other countries have all called for respecting Somalia’s territorial integrity.

President of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, recently issued a strong warning against the agreement, emphasizing that Somalia will defend its sovereignty against any encroachment.