Somalia Rejects Ethiopia-Somaliland Agreement Over Red Sea Port

In a significant diplomatic development, Somalia has rebuffed a recent agreement between Ethiopia and Somaliland granting Ethiopia access to the Red Sea via the port of Berbera. The pact, enabling Ethiopia’s use of the port in exchange for potential recognition of Somaliland’s independence, drew immediate condemnation from Somalia, considering Somaliland as part of its sovereign territory.

The agreement, signed by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Somaliland’s President Muse Bihi Abdi, allows landlocked Ethiopia to lease a 20-kilometer coastline near the strategic port of Berbera for naval and commercial operations over a 50-year period.

Read: Somaliland and Ethiopia Sign Agreement for Access to The Sea

However, Somalia, disputing Somaliland’s autonomy, swiftly denounced the agreement, terming it as an act of “aggression” and asserting that it holds no legal validity. Somalia summoned its ambassador to Ethiopia for discussions following the signing of the pact.

The contentious deal highlights Ethiopia’s ambition to secure Red Sea access, which has been a source of regional tension. Abiy Ahmed previously emphasised the significance of Red Sea access for Ethiopia’s existence, stressing the need for equitable resource-sharing among Horn of Africa nations for peaceful coexistence.

Somaliland, a self-declared republic not recognised internationally, asserted that Ethiopia had agreed to acknowledge its independence in the future, although Ethiopia has not confirmed this aspect of the agreement. Ethiopia’s Prime Minister’s office described the agreement as an MoU aimed at diversifying seaport access and securing sea access for Ethiopia.

The situation escalated as Somalia termed the agreement null and void, a violation of its sovereignty, and an impediment to regional peace and stability, which is already grappling with numerous challenges. Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Bare assured the nation of a firm defence of Somalia’s territorial integrity in light of this development.

Addressing parliament, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud reiterated Somalia’s position, affirming that no entity has the authority to compromise Somalia’s territorial integrity. He dismissed any recognition of Somaliland by Ethiopia, emphasising Somalia’s claim over the northern regions.

Meanwhile, Somalia has sought discussion on the issue at the UN Security Council and the African Union.

The specifics of the agreement remain undisclosed, although Somaliland’s President mentioned that it involved Ethiopia’s future recognition of Somaliland’s independence in exchange for sea access.

The deal, portrayed as a diplomatic milestone by both parties, has inflamed tensions between Somalia, Ethiopia, and Somaliland, raising concerns over the region’s stability amidst ongoing challenges.