Defense Minister Noor says Ethiopia – Somaliland Deal a “Daydream”

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: Defense Minister Abdukhadir Mohamed Noor has termed the controversial naval deal between Ethiopia and Somaliland as a “daydream”.

Noor said a recent statement by Ethiopia’s cabinet members about the MoU was misleading, stating that Ethiopia cannot take an inch of Somali territory.

“Ethiopia knows that it cannot take an inch of Somali territory. When someone dreams while awake, the outcome is predictable,” Noor said.

Ethiopia’s Minister of State for Industry Tarekegn Bululta recently posted on social media that he is confident Ethiopia will recognize Somaliland.

“I am confident that Ethiopia will be the first country to recognize Somaliland as an independent country,” he said.

The controversial January 1^st Memorandum of Understanding which grants Ethiopia sea access and allows the establishing a military base in Somaliland, has been seen by Somalia as a violation of its sovereignty.