Ethiopia signed a memorandum of understanding with Somaliland that guarantees Addis Ababa a sea port and a military base on the Red Sea. The deal in its announced form is likely to benefit both parties, but even if the agreement is not fully implemented, it will reshape the regional balance and the map of geopolitical alliances.
The new alliance could reignite conflict in the already troubled region. Somalia declared the agreement null and void, describing it as a direct aggression against its sovereignty and territorial integrity.