Somalia’s President Nullifies Agreement on Ethiopia-Somaliland Port Access

Somalia’s President, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, took a significant step on Saturday, signing a bill to annul a preliminary agreement between Somaliland and Ethiopia. The agreement aimed to provide landlocked Ethiopia access to Somaliland’s coast via a port, but the move was largely symbolic, intended as a rebuke to both parties for an agreement that has heightened tensions in the Horn of Africa.

In a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Mohamud emphasised that the bill showcased Somalia’s commitment to preserving unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity in accordance with international law.

The backdrop to this is Somaliland’s declaration of independence from Somalia in 1991 amid a civil war in the country’s southern regions. Since then, Somaliland has operated autonomously, claiming the borders of the former British protectorate of Somaliland in northern Somalia, with Hargeisa as its capital.

The memorandum of understanding inked between Somaliland’s President, Muse Bihi, and Ethiopia’s Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed, outlined a tentative framework for a potential future pact between Addis Ababa and Hargeisa.

Although specific details of the memorandum remain contentious and undisclosed to the public, officials have suggested that in exchange for access to the Gulf of Aden via a naval base, Somaliland sought shares in Ethiopian Airlines and Ethiopian recognition of its independence from Somalia.

Redwan Hussein, security adviser to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, revealed in an interview with Ethiopia’s state broadcaster that Ethiopia would be granted a 20km stretch of land along Somaliland’s Gulf of Aden coast for at least 50 years. In return, Ethiopia would provide Somaliland with shares in Ethiopian Airlines equivalent to the value of the acquired land.

While this memorandum remains non-binding at this stage, senior Somaliland officials have expressed hopes for diplomatic recognition from Ethiopia, a long-desired goal for the self-declared republic.

Ethiopian officials have not committed to recognising Somaliland, stating that they will conduct an “in-depth assessment” before taking a stance. However, this agreement has faced international condemnation and provoked strong reactions from Somalia, labelling it an act of “aggression.”

Somalia’s President emphasised that no part of Somali territory should be exchanged for shares in companies like Ethiopian Airlines or Ethiopian Telecom, stressing that territorial integrity must be preserved.

International responses have urged dialogue to resolve the issue, with the US, UK, Turkey, EU, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, and Arab League expressing concerns and advocating for respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Despite the backlash from Mogadishu, Somaliland remains steadfast in its commitment to the preliminary pact with Ethiopia.

The agreement has sparked diverse reactions within Somalia and Somaliland, leading to demonstrations and counter-demonstrations regarding the territorial arrangement with Ethiopia, a nation with a history of conflict with Somalia.

Notably, the defence minister of Somaliland resigned in protest against the deal, citing the lack of consultation by President Muse Bihi Abdi regarding the port deal with Ethiopia. The resignation highlighted discontent within Somaliland’s leadership, especially in regions affected directly by the proposed agreement.

Reports indicate heightened diplomatic tension, with Somalia recalling its ambassador from Ethiopia, while Ethiopia’s ambassador to Somalia has reportedly returned to Addis Ababa amid the escalating row between the two countries.