A Law Professor Urges Somaliland Parliament to Reject the Maritime Memorandum of Understanding

Professor Mubarak Aar: “The maritime Memorandum of Understanding violates the Constitution of Somaliland particularly articles 2 and 127.

Hargeisa (PP News Desk) — Professor Mubarak Aar, who teaches law at a university in Hargeisa, views the maritime Memorandum of Understanding signed by Somaliland with Ethiopia in January 2024 as an illegal agreement. “I have read the Ethiopian statement on the Memorandum of Understanding. It makes clear that Ethiopia will use the coastal facility for both naval and commercial purposes. The agreement does not specify if fishery and offshore-drilling are not included in the MoU. Commercial use of the facility will drastically affect Berbera Port” said Professor Aar.

Somaliland Administration authorities plan to submit the MoU to the Parliament in Hargeisa for discussion. “The basis of signing the MoU is not clear. A lease should have a price but Ethiopia said that Somaliland would acquire shares of its national carrier. Shares of a national carries fluctuate. The MoU shows that there is no compatibility in what is being exchanged. In addition, the MoU violates the Constitution of Somaliland particularly articles 2 ‘The territory of the nation is inviolable, and shall not be trespassed upon’, and article 127 ‘No proposal to amend or correct the Constitution shall be made if it includes a provision which is in conflict with the … the territorial integrity” said Professor Aar, who urged Somaliland parliamentarians to reject the maritime Memorandum of Understanding.

A video clip of the legal commentary by Professor Mubaarak Aar on the illegal maritime Memorandum of Understanding.

© Puntland Post, 2024