Rejecting Ethiopia’s Sea Access Deal with Somaliland
The Somali government has vehemently rejected a memorandum of understanding signed between Ethiopia and the self-declared region of Somaliland, leading to the recall of its ambassador in protest. The cabinet meeting in Mogadishu deemed the agreement “null and void” and “unacceptable,” viewing it as a direct violation of Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
On Monday, Ethiopia and Somaliland signed the “historic” agreement, enabling Ethiopia to access the Red Sea through Somaliland. While Ethiopia has not officially recognized Somaliland’s independence, the memorandum indicates that it “officially recognizes the Republic of Somaliland.” In return, Somaliland grants naval and commercial sea access to Ethiopia on a lease for 50 years.
Somalia strongly warned Ethiopia against any attempt to violate its sovereignty, independence, and unity. The federal government of Somalia vowed to respond to what it perceives as a provocative action, calling on international bodies such as the United Nations Security Council, the African Union (AU), the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Arab League, and others to condemn Ethiopia’s actions and force it to abide by international laws.
President Hassan Sheik Mohamud declared Somalia’s commitment to safeguarding its territory, emphasizing that not an inch of Somali territory would be allowed to be taken away. The historical tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia, including past wars over territorial disputes, add complexity to the current situation. Somalia also raised concerns about the potential impact of Ethiopia’s actions on regional stability. It accused the Ethiopian Prime Minister of creating an opportunity for militant groups like al-Shabab to recruit.
In response to the Ethiopia-Somaliland agreement, Al-Shabab condemned the memorandum as “unlawful” and “invalid,” threatening to fight against it. The situation raises diplomatic challenges in the Horn of Africa and underscores the delicate balance of regional relationships, with potential implications for peace and stability.
