Somaliland Minister of Defense Resigns in Opposition to President Bihi’s Agreement with Ethiopia

Abdiqani Mohamud Aateeye, the Minister of Defense in Somaliland, has tendered his resignation in protest of President Bihi’s accord with Ethiopia to gain access to the Red Sea. Aateeye conveyed his decision in an interview with Horyaal TV, a local Somaliland television channel.

During the interview, he asserted that President Bihi had not sought the input of his ministers and purportedly intended to grant Ethiopia access to the sea without compensation, contradicting Bihi’s earlier statement about leasing the sea to Ethiopia.

Aateeye underscored that the people of Somaliland would not readily accept the transfer of their land to Ethiopia, referencing public sentiments and the recent Friday gatherings in mosques, where discussions highlighted concerns about the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) risks.

This resignation follows widespread public demonstrations in major cities, including Burao and Borama, expressing opposition to the revealed agreement between Somaliland and Ethiopia.