Somaliland marks Independence Day vowing to implement sea access deal with Ethiopia 

MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Somaliland marked its Independence Day on Saturday with military parades held across the break-away region’s cities as authorities vow to implement a controversial deal signed in January that grants Ethiopia an access to a leased land along the Red Sea. 

Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi, opposition leaders, the speaker of the House of Elders and other government officials attended a highly-organized ceremony held near the presidential complex. 

Soldiers and residents waving the national flag marched in Hargeisa’s main avenue as the ceremony was broadcast live on the state TV and other media stations in Somaliland. 

The ceremony comes after more than a year of conflict with the residents of Lasanod who have led an uprising against the separatist authorities, forcing their troops to vacate most of their bases in Sool region and established a parallel regional state. 

Over the past weeks, authorities have again begun beating the drums of war amid feared onslaught against authorities in Sool region who have been recognized by Somalia’s government as a member of its federal states. 

Images circulated on social media showed newly-purchased military vehicles and convoys of Somaliland troops heading to the frontline town of Oog in Sool region despite calls from traditional leaders for a peaceful end to the conflict.  

Somaliland Independence Day

Meanwhile, Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi has recently promised that a delayed presidential vote is due in November, ending years-long political impasse. The move has been greeted with welcome by opposition leaders, who have long accused Bihi of attempting to stay beyond his constitutional term. More 

Bihi’s government is also facing pressure as communities in Awdal region rejected a deal he had signed with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in January that gives Addis Ababa a leased land in the Red Sea coastal town of Lughaya which will last for more than 50 years. Bihi said Ethiopia will recognize Somaliland in exchange for the land where Addis Ababa will build a navy base. More 

Residents in Lughaya and other towns in Awdal regions have threatened to take up arms if Ethiopia sets up a naval base in the town, but in response to the threats, Somaliland deployed hundreds of troops to the area to prevent attempts to disrupt the deal which Bihi called “historic”. 

Somalia’s government described the agreement as an “illegal infringement upon its sovereignty and territorial integrity”, but Addis Ababa insisted it had notified Somali authorities prior to the signing of the memorandum of understanding. 

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