Ethiopia’s leader plays down fears of conflict with Somalia over a planned naval port

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) — Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has played down fears of a war with Somalia over his quest for sea access for his landlocked country. He said Tuesday that Ethiopia is only interested in peace with its neighbor. Ethiopia signed a memorandum of understanding with the breakaway region of of Somaliland on Jan. 1. The document has not been made public, but Somaliland says Ethiopia agreed to recognize its independence in return for a naval port. The deal has rattled Somalia, which asserts that Somaliland is part of Somalia. The Somali president has suggested he is ready to go to war with Ethiopia over the issue.