Ethiopia’s MoU with Somaliland Seen as Key to African Security, Says Ugandan Pan-Africanist

ADDIS ABABA — The recent memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Ethiopia and Somaliland has been highlighted as a pivotal move for Africa’s security interests, according to Ugandan Pan-Africanist Richard Job Matua. In an exclusive interview with the Ethiopian News Agency (ENA), Matua emphasized that the initiative by Ethiopia is set to bolster the continent’s strategic security posture.

According to Ethiopian News Agency, The pan-Africanist underscored the importance of Ethiopia’s efforts in establishing a military base in Somaliland, viewing it as a significant contribution to safeguarding Africa’s security interests. He also pointed out that the deal promotes regional cooperation and integration, benefiting not just the involved parties but the entire continent. Matua highlighted the strategic importance of sea access for Ethiopia, the fifth largest economy in Africa, and praised the agreement for embodying the spirit of pan-Africanism, brotherhood, cooperation, and integration. He believes this will lead to economic development in Somaliland and Ethiopia, and by extension, the Horn of Africa and the entire continent.

Furthermore, Matua linked the MoU to the broader objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), suggesting that Ethiopia’s engagement could facilitate mutual economic growth and development across African countries. He called on Ethiopians to support the MoU, which he sees as a path to securing sea port access through peaceful, win-win approaches that embody a significant victory for Africa.