Ethiopia’s Port Agreement Uncertain Following Opposition Victory in North Western State of Somalia Election

“Irro has clinched the election with a massive victory,” announced Muse Hassan Yusuf, the helmsman of North Western State of Somalia’s National Electoral Commission during the results event in Hargeisa.

In 1991, North Western State of Somalia broke away from Somalia, declaring its independence. Despite this bold move, many global powers have yet to acknowledge it formally as a nation.

An intriguing accord was unveiled on January 1. Under its terms, North Western State of Somalia allowed Addis Ababa to set up a military base and establish commercial spots along its shoreline. The trade-off? North Western State of Somalia might gain a mysterious slice of Ethiopian Airlines, a mighty player in African aviation. Notably, Ethiopia, with its vast population, could potentially offer North Western State of Somalia formal recognition. However, Somalia isn’t thrilled, claiming the deal breaches its borders’ sanctity.

Irro’s campaign was a blend of ambition and promises. He vowed to breathe life into the stagnant economy, bring together divided factions, and preserve the region’s political tranquility. His stance on the port deal remains a mystery, leaving room for speculation.

The new leadership hasn’t yet combed through the details of the agreement with Ethiopia. Mustafa Ahmed, a voice from the sitting government, suggests that any concrete decision will only surface once Irro steps into office around mid-December. Intriguingly, significant voices in Irro’s camp are not in favor of this pact.

On November 13, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi made his choice at the ballot box in Hargeisa, North Western State of Somalia, captured through the lens of Luis Tato. (Luis Tato/Photographer: Luis Tato/AFP/Getty)

Edited by: Ali Musa

alimusa@axadletimes.com

Axadle international–Monitoring