On New Years Day 2024, the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Abiy Ahmed signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the president of Somaliland for access to the Red Sea. This angered Somali (Mogadishu) officials who claim the territory as their own. The MOU allegedly promises Somaliland a stake in Ethiopian Airlines and the possibility of the recognition of their sovereignty in exchange for sea access. Ethiopia has been landlocked since the independence of Eritrea (previously part of Ethiopia) in 1993, and the Somaliland Deal is part of Ethiopia’s drive to regain sea access given limited viable alternatives.