Somalia’s president has signed a law that nullifies a controversial agreement between Ethiopia and Somaliland, a breakaway region that claims independence from Somalia. The deal, which was announced on New Year’s Day, would grant Ethiopia access to the Red Sea port of Berbera and a military base in exchange for recognition of Somaliland as a sovereign state.
The move has triggered a diplomatic crisis in the Horn of Africa, where Ethiopia is a regional powerhouse and Somalia is struggling to rebuild after decades of civil war and Islamist insurgency. Somalia considers Somaliland part of its territory and has vowed to defend its sovereignty and unity by any legal means.
Somalia’s cabinet said the agreement was a clear violation of international law and a threat to the peace and stability of the region. It also recalled its ambassador to Ethiopia for consultation and appealed to the UN, the African Union, the Arab League, and other regional bodies to intervene.
Somalia’s Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre urged the public to remain calm and assured them that the government would not allow any infringement of its land, sea, and air. He said the agreement was null and void and that no one had the power to give away a piece of Somalia.
Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud also addressed parliament and said that Ethiopia had no recognition for Somaliland. He said Somaliland was the northern region of Somalia and that the agreement was an act of aggression.
Ethiopia has not commented on the Somali reaction, but its Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s office said the deal was meant to secure access to the sea and diversify its access to seaports. It said the memorandum of understanding would pave the way for cooperation and regional integration in the Horn of Africa.
Ethiopia, which is landlocked, has been seeking to expand its influence and access to the Red Sea, a strategic waterway that connects Africa, Asia, and Europe. It has also been involved in a border dispute with its former province Eritrea, which seceded in 1993 and declared independence after a three-decade war.
Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991, has been seeking international recognition as a sovereign state but has not received it from any country. It has been running its affairs with its government, parliament, currency, and security forces.
The deal with Ethiopia is seen as a major diplomatic breakthrough for Somaliland, which hopes to boost its economy and legitimacy. Somaliland’s President Muse Bihi Abdi said the agreement ensured Ethiopia’s access to the sea for its naval and commercial purposes, reciprocated by formal recognition of Somaliland.
The deal has also drawn attention to the ongoing talks between Somalia and Somaliland, which resumed last week in Djibouti after years of stalemate. The two sides agreed to continue the dialogue and seek a peaceful resolution of their differences.
Analysts say the deal could either complicate or facilitate the negotiations, depending on how the parties handle the situation. Some observers say the deal could put pressure on Somalia to compromise and accept Somaliland’s autonomy, while others say it could harden Somalia’s stance and derail the talks.
The Horn of Africa is a volatile region that faces multiple challenges, such as poverty, conflict, terrorism, climate change and migration. It also hosts several foreign military bases and is a key partner for the international community in combating piracy and extremism.
The Ethiopia-Somaliland deal is a sign of the changing dynamics and interests in the region, which could have implications for the stability and development of the Horn of Africa and beyond.
However, despite the tensions and uncertainties, there is also hope for dialogue and cooperation among the countries and people of the region, who share a common history, culture, and destiny.
Source: Reuters
