In a groundbreaking move, Ethiopia has recently entered into a historic agreement that secures naval and commercial access to ports along Somaliland's coast. The deal, deemed a "gamechanger" by Somaliland's Information Minister Ali Hassan Mohamed, comes with a significant diplomatic exchange – recognition for the breakaway republic's independence.
The Somali government, maintaining its stance that Somaliland is an integral part of the country, responded swiftly by announcing an emergency cabinet meeting in reaction to the memorandum of understanding.
During a press conference in Addis Ababa, Somaliland's President, Muse Bihi, expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, stating, "According to our agreement written here, we will give 20km of sea, and they will recognize us." The Information Minister emphasized the diplomatic dimension, affirming that the deal involved a 20km sea access in exchange for diplomatic recognition.
While Abiy's office welcomed the agreement in a statement on social media, it made no explicit mention of recognizing Somaliland. Instead, it committed to advancing mutual interests through cooperation on the basis of reciprocity. The statement anticipates a new chapter of cooperation and regional integration in the Horn of Africa.
Redwan Hussein, an adviser to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, hailed the deal as a positive step forward. He mentioned that the details of the memorandum would be formalized in a follow-up meeting scheduled for a month later.
The agreement between Ethiopia and Somaliland follows recent talks in Djibouti between Somalia and Somaliland, signifying a broader regional dialogue. However, Somalia's special envoy to Somaliland, Abdikarim Hussein Guled, criticized the deal as a "blatant disregard for international norms" and raised concerns about its impact on the progress made between Hargeisa and Mogadishu. Former Somali President Mohamed Farmaajo also expressed serious concerns, calling the agreement a significant issue for Somalia and the entire African continent.
Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in the 1990s during the country's civil war. Hargeisa, its capital, has been actively seeking international recognition for over three decades. Ethiopia's formal recognition could provide Somaliland with a significant opportunity to overcome its international isolation.
Ethiopia's interest in securing access to ports along the east African seaboard stems from the loss of its Red Sea ports in the early 1990s. The Eritrean insurgents' control of Ethiopia's northern coastal region, a former Italian colony, led to the ports' loss. Currently heavily reliant on Djibouti for international trade, Ethiopia has been signaling its intention to diversify its options since October, raising concerns among neighboring countries.
In a televised address, Prime Minister Abiy asserted Ethiopia's right to have a say in the use of Red Sea ports, drawing a parallel with countries downstream along the Nile River negotiating the use of the river that Ethiopia has dammed for power generation. The agreement marks a significant development in the geopolitical landscape of the Horn of Africa, with implications for regional cooperation and diplomacy.