Faith Nyasuguta
Ethiopia and Somaliland have recently signed a noteworthy deal that provides Ethiopia with naval and commercial access to ports along Somaliland’s coast. In exchange, Ethiopia is expected to recognize Somaliland’s independence, a move that has stirred diplomatic reactions in the region.
Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in the early 1990s amid a civil war, has actively sought international recognition for over three decades. This agreement with Ethiopia presents a significant opportunity for Somaliland to overcome its international isolation.
Speaking at a press conference in Addis Ababa, Somaliland’s president, Muse Bihi, expressed gratitude for the agreement, emphasizing that Ethiopia would be given 20km of sea access, and in return, they would recognize Somaliland.
Ali Hassan Mohamed, Somaliland’s information minister, described the deal as a “gamechanger,” underscoring the importance of the sea access component for diplomatic recognition.
Ethiopia’s statement, issued by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s office, welcomed the agreement but notably did not explicitly mention recognition of Somaliland. It committed to “advance mutual interests through cooperation on the basis of reciprocity” and emphasized that the memorandum of understanding aims to secure access to the sea and diversify port access in the region.
The deal comes at a critical juncture in regional dynamics, particularly given recent positive talks between Somalia and Somaliland in Djibouti. Somalia, which has consistently maintained that Somaliland is part of its territory, responded to the agreement with concern.
AbdiKarin Hussein Guled, Somalia’s special envoy to Somaliland, called it a “blatant disregard for international norms” by Ethiopia, claiming it undermines progress made in dialogue between Hargeisa and Mogadishu.
Former Somali President Mohamed Farmaajo posted on social media, expressing serious concern about the agreement, stating, “The agreement signed by Ethiopia with Somaliland today is a serious concern for Somalia and the whole of Africa.”
Somalia’s government announced an emergency cabinet meeting in response to the memorandum of understanding between Ethiopia and Somaliland. This move suggests the sensitivity and potential ramifications of the deal for regional relations.
Somaliland’s quest for international recognition receives a boost with Ethiopia’s involvement. Ethiopia, in turn, seeks to mitigate its vulnerability in international trade by securing access to ports along the east African seaboard. Since the early 1990s, Ethiopia has lost access to its Red Sea ports, and the agreement with Somaliland is a strategic step to diversify its options beyond Djibouti.
As the details of the memorandum are set to be formalized in a follow-up meeting, the geopolitical implications of this agreement continue to unfold.
Ethiopia’s interest in securing alternative routes and Somaliland’s pursuit of recognition add complexity to the regional landscape, raising questions about potential shifts in alliances and power dynamics in the Horn of Africa.
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