Somalia dismissed the validity of a recent agreement between Ethiopia and its breakaway region, Somaliland, on Tuesday asserting that the deal lacked legal legitimacy and posed a risk to regional stability.
The pact, signed by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi, permits Ethiopia access to the Red Sea port of Berbera, enabling the landlocked nation to establish commercial operations at a military base on lease in Berbera. Moreover, the agreement included future recognition of Somaliland’s independence.
Ethiopia, whose access to maritime trade primarily relies on Djibouti, sees securing access to the Red Sea as vital. However, this ambition has strained relations with neighboring countries and sparked concerns about potential conflicts in the Horn of Africa.
Following an emergency meeting, Somalia’s cabinet condemned the pact, labeling it a breach of Somalia’s sovereignty and a destabilizing interference. The cabinet statement declared the agreement null and void.
Ethiopia’s proposal to grant Somaliland a share in state-owned Ethiopian Airlines in exchange for Red Sea access was disclosed by Abiy’s national security adviser.
However, Ethiopian officials, including spokespersons from Abiy’s office and the foreign affairs ministry, have not yet responded to requests for comment.
Somaliland, having declared autonomy from Somalia in 1991, lacks widespread international recognition. Somalia insists Somaliland remains part of its territory.
Last week, reports surfaced that Somalia and Somaliland had agreed, under Djibouti’s mediation, to restart talks aimed at resolving their disputes.
