Addis Ababa(Mogadishu24)- Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed addressed parliament on Ethiopia’s goal to secure access to the sea, emphasizing cooperation with neighboring nations on the principle of mutual benefit.

“Ethiopia aims to cooperate with all nations based on the principle of mutual giving and receiving. As Africa’s power center, Ethiopia is dedicated to the continent’s development beyond its own interests,” said Abiy, reinforcing his intent to pursue Ethiopia’s national interests while remaining open to dialogue with regional partners.

In January, Ethiopia signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the self-declared Republic of Somaliland, allowing it sea access in exchange for recognition.

The agreement provoked backlash from Somalia, which views the deal as a violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The dispute led to two rounds of Turkey-brokered talks, both of which failed to resolve the issue. A third round scheduled for Ankara has not materialized, leaving tensions between the two nations unresolved.

In his parliamentary address, Abiy also acknowledged the government’s ongoing, though largely unsuccessful, negotiations with armed groups in the Amhara and Oromia regions, describing efforts to bring stability as challenging.

Abiy’s remarks come just two days after Somalia declared an Ethiopian diplomat persona non grata, ordering his expulsion within 72 hours.

This diplomatic move underscores the heightened tensions between Ethiopia and Somalia, as both nations grapple with complex issues of sovereignty, regional stability, and internal security.