2024-01-05 20:54:39
The reactions follow one another and are similar. Following in the footsteps of the European Union, the United States, the African Union, the Arab League, Egypt and even Turkey, the United Kingdom called on Thursday January 4 for “full respect for sovereignty” of Somalia. These declarations follow the maritime agreement signed on Monday January 1 between Ethiopia and the separatist region of Somaliland.
This grants Ethiopia the right to access the Red Sea over 20 kilometers of coastline, and provides for the construction of an Ethiopian military base and a commercial hub. All for a period of fifty years. Problem: the independence of Somaliland, a former British protectorate now populated by 4.5 million inhabitants, which seceded in 1991, has never been recognized by the international community.
While Somalia describes the agreement as “aggravated violation” of its sovereignty, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, calls ” quiet “ and at ” mutual respect “. For the vice-president of the Kenyan National Assembly, this agreement is “the best recipe for conflict in the Horn of Africa”.
But other reactions disappointed Mogadishu. Sharing his “deep sadness” and advocating “a peaceful resolution” de tensions, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (Igad)an organization that brings together seven East African countries, is considered too timid.
Recognition of Somaliland at stake
Conversely, support for Ethiopia and Somaliland can be counted on the fingers of one hand. While the UK supports Somali sovereignty, former defense minister Gavin Williamson wants his government to officially recognize Somaliland. Senator for French people established outside France, Olivier Cadic was delighted with the announcement of the agreement on his X account (formerly Twitter).
The Republic of Somaliland is seeking to open up to trade and gain some legitimacy with the international community. The Somaliland President, Muse Bihi Abdi, thus affirmed, Monday January 1, that in exchange for the right of access to the sea, Ethiopia would “formally recognize the Republic of Somaliland”. Following this declaration, which ignited the powder, Addis Ababa calmed things down, while specifying that the Ethiopian government would lead “an in-depth assessment with a view to taking a position on Somaliland’s efforts to gain recognition.”
Addis Ababa cantilevered
To counter this rapprochement between Addis Ababa and Somaliland, the mayor of Mogadishu, Youssouf Hussein Jimale, launched a call to demonstrate to which a few hundred people responded, Wednesday January 3, within the Konis stadium, in the center of the Somali capital. The demonstrators sang songs and brandished signs against the Somaliland president and the Ethiopian prime minister.
The rise of these tensions in the Horn of Africa could create turmoil within the Brics+. Since January 1, the alliance has welcomed five new countries, including Ethiopia and Egypt. Already in conflict with Addis Ababa over the mega-hydroelectric dam built on the Nile, Cairo denounced “any measure aimed at undermining Somali sovereignty, emphasizing the exclusive right of Somalia and its people to benefit from its resources”.
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