HARGEISA (SD) – The current government of Somaliland, led by President Abdirahman Irro, has announced that they will review the agreement made by the previous administration with the Ethiopian government.

The new Minister of Foreign Affairs of Somaliland, Abdirahman Dahir Aden, stated that they will continue with the agreement as long as it balances the interests of both sides; otherwise, they will reconsider it. “The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) had a lot of ambiguity, what Ethiopia said and what the president said were different,” he said.

The Foreign Minister added, “Ethiopia said that after we are given access to the sea, they will consider recognition, whereas the former president said something different.”

He further emphasized that their foreign policy would focus on ensuring Somaliland’s independence and establishing mutually beneficial relations worldwide. “If it helps us and includes our recognition, we would prefer anyone who agrees to that. We will look into it, and we are hopeful. We told Ethiopia this as well, and it would be easier for us if neighboring countries recognize us,” he added.

The Minister’s comments come a year after the Ethiopian agreement has not been formalized into an official deal, and the agreement between Ethiopia and Somalia has worsened prospects for implementing the Ethiopian-Somaliland deal. Abdirahman Dahir Aden, who is now the Foreign Minister, was previously one of the opposition politicians who opposed the agreement before winning the presidency of Somaliland.