In February, Somali President Mohamud said his country would "defend itself" if Ethiopia goes ahead with the Somaliland deal.

Somalia expels Ethiopian diplomat

By ABDULKADIR KHALIF More by this AuthorSomalia on Thursday expelled Ethiopian ambassador to Mogadishu as tensions between the two countries rise over the alleged interference in internal affairs.
The decision came after a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Hamza Barre saw Mogadishu promptly order the expulsion of Ambassador Muktar Mohamed Ware effective Thursday.
AdvertisementSomalia and Ethiopia have been bickering over Somaliland, even though Mogadishu had largely avoided expelling the ambassador and Ethiopian troops remained in Somalia under the African Union mission (Atmis).
Read: Somalia: No talks unless Ethiopia retracts dealIn January, Addis Ababa and Hargeisa signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation which allowed landlocked Ethiopia to lease a port in Somaliland.
In protest of the MoU signing, Somalia recalled its ambassador in Addis Ababa.