Ethiopia and Somalia Resolve Dispute Over Somaliland Port
Ethiopia and Somalia have agreed to end their bitter dispute over Addis Ababa’s plans to build a port in the breakaway republic of Somaliland following talks in Turkey.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan welcomed the “historic agreement”,which he said would eventually ensure landlocked Ethiopia’s access to the sea.
At the press conference, he held hands with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who both agreed to respect one another’s sovereignty.
The two neighbors have been at loggerheads since January when Ethiopia signed a maritime deal with Somaliland – which Somalia considers as part of its territory.
This prompted fears of a wider regional conflict as Egypt has been backing Somalia—largely due to its anger with Ethiopia for building a dam on the River Nile.
Turkey has, in recent years, become an significant geopolitical player in the Horn of Africa, maintaining close economic ties with Addis Ababa and security deals with mogadishu.
Erdogan stated that the agreement, announced on Wednesday night in Ankara, was “the first step towards a new beginning”.
president Mohamud expressed that his country was “ready to work with the Ethiopian leadership and the Ethiopian people”.
Prime Minister Abiy insisted Ethiopia’s efforts to secure a reliable access to the sea do not threaten Somalia, confirming they had “addressed the misunderstandings that have occurred over the past year”.
The feud began on New Year’s Day, when Abiy signed a controversial deal with Somaliland to lease a 20km (12-mile) section of its coastline for 50 years to set up a naval base.
In exchange, Ethiopia, the world’s most-populous landlocked nation, was to reportedly recognize Somaliland as an independent country, although Addis Ababa never explicitly confirmed this.
Somaliland, which broke away from Somalia more than 30 years ago, has long been pushing for recognition, but Mogadishu characterized the move as an act of “aggression”.
According to the ankara joint declaration, the two Horn of africa neighbors are to reconvene in February to hold “technical talks”.
In the interim, they will strive to reach “mutually beneficial commercial arrangements” to ensure Ethiopia gains access to the sea “under Somalia’s sovereignty”.
Last month, Somaliland elected a new president—former opposition leader Abdirahman mohamed Abdullahi—who promised to “review” the maritime deal, although he made no mention of it in his inauguration speech on Thursday morning.
somaliland is located in a strategic part of the world and is seen as a gateway to the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea.
Expert Discussion
To delve deeper into the implications of this historic agreement, we have gathered insights from several experts:
- Dr.Sarah Emira – Political Analyst,specializing in Horn of Africa geopolitics.
- professor Ahmed Ali – expert in maritime law and international relations.
- ms. Hirsi Abdi – Somali human rights advocate and founder of the somaliland Awareness Foundation.
Discussion Highlights:
Moderator: What do you see as the potential long-term impacts of this agreement on regional stability?
Dr. emira: This agreement, if it holds, could lead to greater cooperation and reduced tensions in the Horn of Africa. However,both sides must follow through on their commitments.
Professor Ali: The legal ramifications regarding sovereignty over the maritime deal are crucial. Clear frameworks will need to be established to avoid future disputes.
Ms. Abdi: It’s critically important for the voices of Somaliland’s citizens to be included in these discussions. Their aspirations and concerns must not be overlooked.
dr. Emira: Diplomatic engagement and support for economic growth initiatives could be vital. We need to see a commitment to peaceful resolutions.
professor Ali: Technical support in maritime governance could also be beneficial, ensuring all parties can navigate this complex situation wisely.
Ms. abdi: Civil society organizations must be involved to advocate for transparency and inclusive dialog in this ongoing process.
What are your thoughts on this agreement? Join the conversation in the comments below!
Time.news Editor (TNE): Welcome, everyone, to our special interview on the recent breakthrough between Ethiopia and Somalia regarding the Somaliland port dispute.We’re honored to have with us Dr. Amina Said, a leading expert in Horn of Africa geopolitics. Dr. Said, thank you for joining us.
Dr. amina Said (DAS): Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here.
TNE: Let’s dive right into it. This agreement reached in Turkey seems to be a notable development in a long-standing dispute. what are the main implications of this historic agreement for Ethiopia, Somalia, and the broader Horn of Africa region?
DAS: Absolutely, it is indeed a historic moment. This agreement will primarily allow landlocked Ethiopia to gain access to maritime trade routes through Somaliland. Since January, tensions rose after Ethiopia signed a maritime deal with Somaliland, prompting concerns about sovereignty and regional stability. This new agreement signifies a mutual respect for sovereignty, suggesting that both nations are willing to prioritize diplomatic solutions over conflict.
TNE: That mutual respect is crucial. Can you elaborate on how this agreement may impact relations between Ethiopia and Somalia moving forward?
DAS: Certainly! The agreement, emphasized through the direct engagement of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, sets a tone of collaboration. Both Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud have shown a willingness to engage in constructive dialog. If this cooperative spirit continues, we could see a stabilization of their bilateral relations, which would promote regional peace and potentially mitigate external pressures, notably from countries like Egypt.
TNE: Speaking of external pressures, Turkey has emerged as a key player in this region. How do you interpret Turkey’s involvement in this agreement?
DAS: Turkey’s role cannot be understated. Over the past few years, it has established itself as a key geopolitical player in the Horn of africa. By facilitating these talks and framing the agreement as a “new beginning,” Turkey is positioning itself as a vital mediator and ally for both nations. This can enhance Turkey’s influence in the region and may also serve its strategic interests, especially amidst the broader competition with other powers like Egypt.
TNE: There have been fears of a wider regional conflict, especially given Egypt’s support for Somalia due to Ethiopia’s dam projects on the Nile. How does this agreement impact the dynamics with Egypt?
DAS: This is a critical factor. The tensions surrounding the Nile dam—where Egypt feels its water supply is threatened—have complicated the relations between Ethiopia and its neighbors. If Ethiopia and Somalia can negotiate effectively and establish a stable partnership, it may reduce the likelihood of conflict in the region, which could, in turn, ease the tension with Egypt. Though,this is contingent on Ethiopia’s continuing dialogue and transparency regarding its dam policies.
TNE: In closing, Dr. Said, what are the key takeaways for our readers regarding this situation and its future trajectory?
DAS: The key takeaway is that diplomacy has taken precedence over conflict, which is a promising sign for the Horn of Africa. The prosperous negotiations could pave the way for further cooperation not only between Ethiopia and Somalia but also in addressing other regional issues. It’s a reminder of the role that external actors like Turkey can play in fostering dialogue. however, ongoing vigilance will be needed to ensure that these agreements translate into lasting peace and stability.
TNE: Thank you, Dr. Amina Said, for your insights. This development holds significant potential for the future of the Horn of Africa, and we appreciate your expertise on the matter.
DAS: Thank you for having me. It’s been a pleasure discussing such an vital issue.