In a significant geopolitical shift, Ethiopia and the self-declared independent state of Somaliland have entered into a historic agreement, granting the landlocked nation access to the Red Sea.
Somaliland’s President, Muse Bihi Abdi, and Ethiopia’s Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed Ali, signed the MoU in Addis Ababa. “Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali has asked me to sign the MoU, which, in return, Ethiopia will be the first country to recognize Somaliland as an independent republic,” President Bihi announced during an event in Addis Ababa on Monday.
Ali Hassan Mohamed, Somaliland’s information minister, described the deal as a “gamechanger”, reiterating his government’s view that the deal involved 20km (12 miles) of sea access in exchange for diplomatic recognition.
In a statement published on X Abiy’s office welcomed the agreement but made no mention of recognition of Somaliland, only committing to “advance mutual interests through cooperation on the basis of reciprocity”.
It added: “The memorandum of understanding shall pave the way to realize the aspiration to secure access to the sea and diversify its access to sea ports,” ushering in a “new chapter of cooperation” and “regional integration in the Horn”.
Redwan Hussein, an adviser to Abiy Ahmed, said the deal was a “step ahead in the right direction for this and generations to come”, adding that details of the memorandum would be formalized in a follow-up meeting in a month.
The agreement, however, coincides with strained relations between Addis Ababa and Mogadishu. particularly in light of Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud siding with Egypt in the dispute over the Nile River waters, where Ethiopia’s Grand Renaissance Dam has become a point of contention.
The meeting between Ethiopia and Somaliland came days after Somalia and Somaliland announced a breakthrough in talks in Djibouti, committing to further dialogue between their respective capitals.
Abdikarim Hussein Guled, Somalia’s special envoy to Somaliland, said the deal constituted a “blatant disregard for international norms” by Ethiopia and undermines progress made between Hargeisa and Mogadishu. Somalia’s former president Mohamed Farmaajo posted on X: “The agreement signed by Ethiopia with Somaliland today is a serious concern for Somalia and the whole of Africa.”
The MoU is also a significant pivot for Ethiopia, which has been historically reliant on Djibouti for over 95% of its international trade following the loss of its access to the Red Sea when Eritrea gained independence in the early 1990s.
Relevant articles:
– Somaliland grants Ethiopia sea access in exchange for recognition – president
– Ethiopia signs agreement to use Somaliland’s Red Sea port
– Ethiopia and Somaliland reach agreement over access to ports