HARGEISA (KAAB TV) – Somaliland officials briefed diplomats in Hargeisa on Wednesday, announcing that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ethiopia has been finalized, with a formal legal agreement expected soon.
This marks the second major update on the MoU, following its initial announcement in February, when Somaliland emphasized that it was “on course without any wavering” in implementing the agreement.
The process has been supported by a technical team, international legal experts, and a high-level advisory group.
“I am announcing here today that the negotiations for the memorandum of understanding between the Republic of Somaliland and Ethiopia have been concluded, and the official agreement will be signed soon,” stated Dr. Essa Kayd, Somaliland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
“This is a victory,” the minister added.
Although Ethiopia has largely remained silent on the matter, Ethiopian media reported that in January, members of the ruling Prosperity Party’s Executive and Central Committee decided to move the MoU toward a practical agreement.
During the briefing, Dr. Kayd also expressed concerns about the growing presence of Egyptian military forces in neighboring Somalia, underscoring the rising regional security tensions.
Meanwhile, Somalia’s Southwest State leader, Abdiaziz Laftagareen, has openly opposed the Somali federal government’s efforts to bring Egyptian forces into the country, viewing it as a move tied to the MoU.
Laftagareen reiterated his state’s commitment to continuing its security partnership with Ethiopia, noting that Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) are the primary security providers in Southwest State.
This followed public protests last week in support of Ethiopian role in providing security to the local populations in the Southwest State of Somalia despite Mogadishu opposition towards Ethiopian forces as part of the African Union mission.
Separately, Somaliland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Essa Kayd, announced the permanent closure of the “Egyptian Cultural Library” in Hargeisa, citing serious security concerns.
“All staff have been given 72 hours to leave the country,” he added.
This decision comes amid Egypt’s recent military support for Somalia’s federal government, including the provision of weapons and ammunition to Mogadishu.
The new developments are compounded by the longstanding Nile water dispute between Ethiopia and Egypt. While Somaliland has solidified its relationship with Ethiopia through the MoU, Somalia’s government has entered into a separate security agreement with Egypt, further complicating regional dynamics.