Hargeysa(Mogadishu24)-Uncertainty looms over the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Ethiopia and the breakaway Republic of Somaliland, nine months after the agreement was reached on January 1, 2024, in Addis Ababa.

In an interview with Arabiya TV Saturday, Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi said, “I don’t know the exact time,” when asked about the MoU’s timeline for implementation.

The MoU, which involves a potential exchange of recognition and access to Somaliland’s coastline for Ethiopia, has stirred tension across the Horn of Africa. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed is reportedly hesitant to move forward with the agreement immediately due to two key factors:

1. Negotiations Between Ethiopia and Somalia: Abiy views the MoU as a potential bargaining chip in ongoing talks with Somalia. The outcome of these discussions could significantly influence the fate of the agreement with Somaliland.
2. Upcoming Somaliland Elections: With Somaliland’s presidential election approaching, Abiy is reluctant to act before the political landscape in the region stabilizes.

The MoU has sparked regional tensions, particularly between Somalia and Ethiopia, with both nations taking strong positions on the issue. The agreement has also attracted attention from neighboring countries.

Eritrea has closed off its borders, maintaining a cautious stance, while Egypt supports Somalia, seeing the situation as an opportunity to distract Ethiopia from completing the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Nile, a critical issue for Cairo.

Djibouti and Kenya are monitoring the situation closely, hoping that diplomacy can resolve the tensions before they escalate further.

The delay in implementing the MoU continues to raise concerns, with regional dynamics playing a significant role in its future.