Why is Somalia so concerned about a sea port agreement?

"I don't think the Somali government is interested in a fist fight with Ethiopia."

A diplomatic row broke out this week in response to a deal between Ethiopia and Somaliland allowing landlocked Ethiopia access to Somaliland’s coastline.

Somalia described the agreement as an act of "aggression". Both the African Union and US have issued statements saying Somalia’s sovereignty must be respected. Somaliland seceded from Somalia in 1991 but is not internationally recognised as an independent state.

Somaliland said in a statement that in exchange for sea access, Ethiopia would "formally recognise" it.

But Ethiopia said that other countries had done deals with Somaliland in the past, and it had not "transgressed" any laws.

Confused? For today’s Africa Daily podcast Peter Musembi goes back to the basics – and hears about the background to this latest dispute.