Somalia kicked out Ethiopia’s ambassador and closed Ethiopian consulates in Somaliland and Puntland because of a dispute over a port deal. The problem started when Ethiopia agreed to lease 20km of coastline in Somaliland for 50 years, planning to use it for both military and business purposes, including a naval base. Somalia saw this deal as a violation of its sovereignty, as it claims Somaliland as part of its territory. This led Somalia to say that Ethiopia was interfering in its internal affairs. The expulsion of the ambassador signals a major diplomatic clash that could increase tensions in the Horn of Africa.
The decision by Somalia to expel Ethiopia’s ambassador over a port deal in Somaliland is a big deal because it shows growing tension between the two countries. Somaliland is a region that claims to be independent, but Somalia sees it as part of its territory. When Ethiopia made a deal to lease part of Somaliland’s coastline for 50 years, it angered Somalia, which accused Ethiopia of interfering in its internal affairs. Somalia’s move to kick out the ambassador and shut down Ethiopian consulates is important because it could make things worse in a region that’s already unstable. Ethiopia’s plan to use the port for military and business purposes might look like it’s supporting Somaliland’s independence, which could upset the balance of power in the Horn of Africa. This conflict might affect how Somalia and Ethiopia work together on security and fighting terrorism. It’s a sign that the countries in the region need to be careful to avoid more problems.
Somalia expelled Ethiopia’s ambassador over a dispute about a port deal in Somaliland. Ethiopia made an agreement to lease part of Somaliland’s coastline for 50 years, but Somalia considers Somaliland part of its territory. This upset Somalia, which sees it as a threat to its sovereignty. Kicking out an ambassador is a big deal in international relations, showing that Somalia is very unhappy with Ethiopia’s actions. This kind of move can cause more trouble in the Horn of Africa, where countries already face security and political problems. It’s a reminder that countries need to respect each other’s boundaries to avoid conflicts.