SABC News posted on 4 August 2026 an article titled "SA Moves to Complete R2 Billion Radioactive Waste Management Facility."
South Africa's National Radioactive Waste Disposal Institute signed a memorandum of understanding with the China National Nuclear Corporation to work together and share experiences.
The Emirates Policy Center published on 1 July 2026 a paper titled "Between Maritime Access and Recognition: Geopolitical Implications of Rapprochement Between Ethiopia and Somaliland."
The prospect of landlocked Ethiopia securing maritime access through Somaliland highlights the intersection of Addis Ababa's structural need for a maritime outlet and Hargeisa's ambition to strengthen its legitimacy and bargaining power--without pressing for immediate formal recognition.
The most likely scenario in the foreseeable future is the gradual expansion of economic and logistical cooperation between Ethiopia and Somaliland, without sovereign arrangements or formal recognition. While the option of recognition or sovereign maritime privileges remains possible, it is less likely and would require deeper regional and international transformations.
The New Republic Liberia published on 22 October 2025 an article titled "Liberia, China Strengthen Maritime Education, Training Ties."
The CEO of the Liberia Maritime Authority met with senior executives of the Shanghai Maritime University to discuss collaboration in maritime education, training, and technology exchange. They expect to sign a MOU in December.
The International Crisis Group posted on 19 June 2025 a 30-minute podcast titled "Somaliland's Moment?" with Guleid Ahmed Jama, lawyer and political commentator based in Hargeisa, and host Alan Boswell.
The Somaliland-Ethiopia memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed in 2024 was never clear to most Somalilanders. There was subsequently a change of government in Somaliland, making the situation even less clear although Hargeisa continues to seek diplomatic recognition. In any event, the MOU is now on a back burner and negotiations with Ethiopia concerning the MOU have not yet resumed under the new government in Hargeisa.
The more recent question is whether the Trump administration is willing to give Somaliland diplomatic recognition in exchange for military use of air and port facilities at Berbera on Somaliland's coast. The US military has expressed interest but there has been no movement so far by the Trump administration.
The Emirates Policy Center published on 26 March 2025 an analysis titled "Ethiopia-Somalia Rapprochement and Its Potential Geopolitical Implications."
Somalia's recent rapprochement with Ethiopia could lead to a more balanced foreign policy, reducing Mogadishu's involvement in regional power struggles. Ethiopia has strengthened its military presence and security role in Somalia while Egypt will have a smaller presence than originally projected. Ethiopia has frozen but not abandoned its MOU with Somaliland.
The Star published on 19 March 2025 an article titled "Kenya, China Ink Major Deal to Boost Nuclear Energy Development" by Felix Kipkemoi.
Kenya and China signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on nuclear energy development. The agreement between Kenya's Nuclear Power and Energy Agency and China Nuclear Engineering and Construction Corporation outlines cooperation in research, innovation, and technology transfer. The partnership is expected to accelerate Kenya's progress toward diversifying its energy mix and ensuring long-term energy security.
The Libya Herald published on 11 March 2025 an article titled "Libya and China Discuss Establishment of Libyan Chinese Training Centre in Benghazi and an MOU" by Sami Zaptia.
The charge d'affaires of the Libyan embassy met with Libya's Minister of Labor and Rehabilitation in Tripoli where they discussed ways to accelerate the return of Chinese companies to Libya and resumption of development activities, including vocational training and employment and regulating the mobility of labor. They also discussed a Libyan-Chinese Centre for Vocational Training and Rehabilitation in Benghazi.
Deutsche Welle published on 11 December 2024 an article titled "Ethiopia, Somalia Reach Compromise to End Feud, Turkey Says."
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud met in Ankara on 11 December at the invitation of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Ethiopia and Somalia agreed to work closely together on commercial arrangements and bilateral agreements that would ensure Ethiopia's "reliable, safe and sustainable" access to the sea "under the sovereign authority of the Federal Republic of Somalia." Ethiopia and Somalia also agreed to begin technical talks no later than the end of February 2025 and to complete them within four months.
Comment: No direct mention seems to have been made of Ethiopia's earlier MOU with Somaliland for a military base in exchange for diplomatic recognition of Somaliland. Nor was Somaliland involved in the discussions. This appears to be an effort by Ethiopia to resolve serious differences with Somalia while putting aside or ever annulling the MOU with Somaliland.
The Voice of America published on 15 November 2024 an article titled "Western Diplomats Urge Somaliland Leaders to Accept Election Results" by Harun Maruf.
Although the ballot counting process is not finished, Western diplomats who monitored the 13 November election in Somaliland urged the three presidential candidates and their supporters to accept the results. The observers said the election was peaceful although polling stations in some parts of Somaliland did not open because of conflict.
African Arguments published on 6 October 2024 an analysis titled "Ethiopia's Quest for a Seaport, Egypt and the Geopolitics of the Nile Basin" by Mohamed Kheir Omer.
This piece reviews the historical animosity between Ethiopia and Egypt, concluding that only renewed dialogue and mutual compromise can pave the way for lasting peace and stability in the region.
The Voice of America published on 4 October 2024 an article titled "Somalia-Ethiopia Tensions Escalate: UN Urges Diplomatic Resolution" by Mohamed Olad Hassan.
Somalia is firmly against having Ethiopian troops as part of the new African Union Support Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) as tension between the two countries escalates in the aftermath of Ethiopia's MOU with Somaliland. The United Nations urged that Somalia and Ethiopia resolve their differences through diplomacy as the AU mission is being established.
Agence France Presse published on 26 September 2024 an article titled "Rising Somalia-Ethiopia Tensions Threaten Horn of Africa."
Egypt delivered this week a second shipment of arms to Somalia, causing Ethiopia to increase its concern about the Somali-Egyptian relationship. Ethiopian troops remain in Somalia as part of the African Union force to combat al-Shabaab. If Ethiopia continues with plans to establish a naval base on the coast of Somaliland, Somalia will almost certainly demand that it withdraw its forces from the country, possibly leaving a vacuum for al-Shabaab to fill.
The Atlantic Council published on 19 September 2024 an analysis titled "Egypt Is Cozying Up to Somalia to Thwart Ethiopia" by Shahira Amin.
In August, Egypt sent two C-130 planes with weapons and ammunition to Mogadishu to improve relations with Somalia and send a message to Ethiopia. Egypt has long opposed Addis Ababa's Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on the Blue Nile. It grew increasingly concerned following Ethiopia's memorandum of understanding with Somaliland that includes a possible Ethiopian naval base on the Somaliland coast.
The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute posted on 2 September 2024 a commentary titled "Navigating the Red Sea: Addressing Threats and Harnessing Potential" by Frederic Gateretse-Ngoga, Farea Al-Muslimi, Lisa Bostrom, and Veera Tuomala.
The Red Sea has become a major flashpoint for regional conflict. Operationalizing the Red Sea Council, established in 2020, could help mitigate tension in the region.
The International Crisis Group posted on 19 September 2024 a 39-minute podcast titled "Somalia Amid a Swirl of Regional Tensions" with Alan Boswell and Omar Mahmood.
Somalia is insisting that Ethiopia renounce the memorandum of understanding with Somaliland, which Ethiopia refuses to do. Somalia signed a new security agreement with Turkey and followed this with some kind of secret agreement with Egypt, which may include training of Somali soldiers. Turkey and Egypt seem to be working to cooperate in Somalia.
If Ethiopia does not renounce the MOU, Somalia said Ethiopian troops will no longer be permitted to participate in the ATMIS stabilization mission. There is speculation that Egyptian troops will replace them, which would be challenging for Egypt to do. It could also result in a short-term security vacuum.
Both Ethiopia and Somalia are engaged in brinkmanship. This situation leaves openings for al-Shabaab to expand its influence in Somalia. The Islamic State remains operationally insignificant inside Somalia but is playing a larger external role.
The Voice of America published on 12 September 2024 an article titled "Exclusive Interview: US Boosts Diplomacy, Security Support in Somalia" by Mohamed Olad Hassan.
US ambassador to Somalia, Richard Riley, reiterated that the United States does not recognize the Memorandum of Understanding between Ethiopia and Somaliland and expressed hope that the third round of talks by Turkey would result in a solution to the disagreement caused by the MOU. Riley also pointed out that the United States is Somalia's largest doner and security partner.
Reuters published on 28 August 2024 an article titled "Egypt Sends Arms to Somalia Following Security Deal, Sources Say" by Abdi Sheikh and Giulia Paravicini.
Egypt signed a security pact with Somalia earlier this year. Two Egyptian military planes delivered arms and ammunition to Mogadishu airport on 27 August. Ethiopia charged that Somalia is colluding with external actors aiming to destabilize the region.
World Politics Review published on 28 August 2024 a commentary titled "Ethiopia's Abiy Has the Horn of Africa on Edge" by Jonathan Fenton-Harvey, British analyst and journalist.
The author reviews the impact of Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's memorandum of understanding with Somaliland. He concludes that as long as Abiy maintains his assertive foreign policy, particularly with regard to his naval ambitions, and continues to risk aggravating the volatile situation within Ethiopia's own borders, the region will face an uncertain future.
The New York Times published on 26 August 2024 a commentary titled "The Coming War Nobody Is Talking About" by Afyare A. Elmi and Yusuf Hassan, both at the City University of Mogadishu.
The authors charge that Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's obsession with making landlocked Ethiopia a coastal state by opening a naval base in Somaliland will create conditions for a potential war between Ethiopia and Somalia.
Radio France Internationale posted on 17 August 2024 an article titled "Ethiopia and Somalia Move Closer to Resolving Somaliland Dispute."
Turkey will host a third round of talks between Ethiopia and Somalia on 17 September in an effort to mediate the differences over the Ethiopian-Somaliland memorandum of understanding for a naval base near Berbera in the Gulf of Aden. The parties did not reach an agreement in the first two rounds of talks.
