A Sympathy Borne out of Authorized Identification? (Re)Viewing Ethiopia’s Transfer to Acknowledge Somaliland’s Statehood from a Completely different Angle – EJIL: Speak!

Introduction

Within the strategy of understanding the undeclared drivers behind Ethiopia’s transfer in direction of recognition of Somaliland’s statehood, this weblog submit sheds mild on how modifications in authorized identities information the decision-making strategy of States in worldwide regulation. It particularly examines the potential hyperlinks between Ethiopia’s shifting place on the precept of territorial integrity and its transfer to Somaliland’s recognition.

1. Ethiopia Intendsto Acknowledge Somaliland

On 1st January 2024, a significant occasion unfolded within the Horn of Africa because the Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, and the President of a self-proclaimed Republic of Somaliland signed a Memorandum of Understanding for Partnership and Cooperation in Addis Ababa.   The Memorandum, although its full contents should not but printed, has obtained worldwide consideration (together with  an enquiry on worldwide regulation’s use to assist Ethiopia discover a answer for its sovereign proper on entry to the ocean)  and has ignited heated reactions and oppositions, notably from the Federal Republic of Somalia, who claims Somaliland as a part of its personal (Northern) territory. Basing its arguments on worldwide regulation and its Structure, Somalia denounces the memorandum as “null and void”.

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