Faith Nyasuguta
Somalia is willing to resort to war to prevent Ethiopia from recognizing the breakaway territory of Somaliland and constructing a port there, a senior adviser to Somalia’s president has stated.
The memorandum of understanding signed on January 1, allowing landlocked Ethiopia to establish a naval base on Somaliland’s coast, has stirred tensions in the Horn of Africa, a highly volatile region.
Somalia asserts that Somaliland is part of its territory and has declared the deal void. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud called on Somalis to “prepare for the defense of our homeland,” and protests against the agreement have taken place in Mogadishu.
“We are pursuing all diplomatic options and I think Ethiopia will come to its senses, but we are ready for a war if Abiy wants a war,” said the adviser, referring to Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
Ethiopia and Somalia have a history of conflict, with tensions dating back to a 1977-78 war over a disputed region. Ethiopia invaded Somalia in 2006, contributing to the emergence of the Al-Shabaab insurgency. Today, Ethiopia is a major contributor of troops to the African Union peacekeeping force in Somalia.
The adviser mentioned that the port deal “caught Somalia by surprise,” alleging that Abiy had denied intentions to seek sea access through Somaliland when questioned by Mohamud in a November summit in Saudi Arabia.
Somaliland, formerly a British colony until 1960, has operated as a de facto independent state since breaking away from Somalia in 1991. Despite being relatively peaceful compared to Somalia, it lacks international recognition, hindering investment and access to global finance.
The recent port deal with Ethiopia, owned by Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man, is viewed as a significant move for Somaliland, potentially legitimizing its self-determination and encouraging other nations to recognize it.
The deal’s specifics remain unclear, with neither side releasing the full text. While Somaliland’s president suggested Ethiopia agreed to recognition in exchange for a 50-year lease of coastline, Ethiopia maintained it was only committed to assessing Somaliland’s recognition efforts. The situation raises diplomatic uncertainties and could impact the region’s dynamics.
Ethiopia’s need for sea access is emphasized, drawing parallels with its Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam project, a hydroelectric venture on the Blue Nile. The adviser hinted at potential regional shifts, mentioning that if the deal with Somaliland falls through, Ethiopia may seek a port elsewhere.
This development adds complexity to an already turbulent region, with Somalia’s president engaging with Ethiopia’s regional rivals, Eritrea and Egypt, signaling potential shifts in regional alliances.
RELATED:
