Somaliland is a de-facto self-governing territory, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991. The territory has not gained official recognition from any member states of the UN or any other international bodies. In January 2024, Ethiopia signed a deal with Somaliland giving Ethiopia access to the Red sea in exchange for official recognition of Somaliland by Ethiopia. The deal has sparked tensions between Ethiopia and its neighbours, Somalia and Egypt signed a military alliance in response to the move and the deal has been condemned by the African Union.