Ethiopia Inks ‘Provocative’ Red Sea Access Deal with Somaliland for Recognition
GOOBJOOG NEWS|ADDIS ABABA: The breakaway region of Somaliland struck a deal with Ethiopia to grant it access to the red Sea in return for recognition as an independent state in a surprise turn of events barely two days after Mogadishu and Hargeisa signed a roadmap for the resumption of talks.
Somaliland President Muse Bihi said in a joint presser with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed that his administration had granted Ethiopia access and utilization of a 20 kilometres territory to access the sea ‘for international recognition.’
“The Federal Republic of Ethiopia is set to become the first African nation to officially recognize the Republic of Somaliland. Additionally, the Republic of Somaliland will lease 20 KM of sea to Ethiopia. Furthermore, Ethiopia will utilize the Berbera Port,” Bihi said.
A statement from the Ethiopian Prime Minister noted that termed the MoU “historic,” noting that “it will pave the way to realize the aspiration of Ethiopia to secure access to the sea and diversify its access to seaports.”
The Ethiopian PM posted on his X account in reaction to the signing of the MoU thus, “What else can be said but praise the Creator!”
PM Abiy’s National Security Advisor was quoted by the local media in Ethiopia saying the MoU ‘paves the way for accessing a leased military base on the Red Sea.”
The signing of the MoU is set to unravel relations in the Horn of Africa, especially at a time the Federal Government in Mogadishu is working to restart talks with Hargeisa. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud signed an agreement with Somaliland leader Muse Bihi on December 29 to chart a roadmap for the resumption of talks in a month.
RELATED COVERAGE: BREAKING: Somalia, Somaliland Ink Deal in Djibouti to Resume Talks
However, the development today in Addis Ababa is likely to jeopardise those talks. Former Foreign Affairs Minister Abdi Aynte has described the MoU as ‘provocative’ and will require urgent response from Mogadishu.
“In taking this extremely provocative step, Ethiopia has inevitably thrown the entire Horn of Africa region into a political crisis of epic proportions. Addis can gain access to the sea through diplomacy & trade, not brinkmanship. Somalia must act proportionally and swiftly.”
Ethiopia has in recent months campaigned for access to the sea particularly the Red Sea sparking tensions with Eritrea. PM Ahmed has even indicated that his country would acquire access to the sea ‘by all means’ raising the stakes for military options.