HARGEISA (KAAB TV ) – Ethiopian National Defense Forces Chief of the General Staff, Field Marshal Berhanu Jula, held a significant meeting with Somaliland Chief of the General Staff, Major General Nuh Ismail Tani, on Monday in Addis Ababa.
The visit by Somaliland military officials to the Ethiopian capital was confirmed by Somaliland authorities.
According to a statement by the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF), the discussions between the two military leaders centered on “working together on military cooperation.” Major General Nuh Ismail Thani led a delegation that was warmly received by senior army officers upon their arrival at the Ministry of Defense headquarters in Addis Ababa.
These discussions unfold against the backdrop of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Ethiopia and Somaliland on January 1, 2024.
The MOU grants Ethiopia access to the Red Sea, a development contested by the Somalia government, which dismissed it as “illegitimate.”
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The region has been gripped by heightened tensions since the signing of the MOU, with Somaliland affirming its commitment to the agreement with Addis Ababa.
Simultaneously, the Ethiopian government has emphasized its intention to secure sea and port access for its navy.
The meeting between military officials from Ethiopia and Somaliland suggests ongoing efforts to navigate the complex geopolitical landscape in the Horn of Africa.