Somalia has annulled a contentious agreement between its breakaway region, Somaliland, and Ethiopia, regarding access to the Red Sea, provoking a stern reaction from the Somali government which regards the move as an infringement on its sovereignty. The deal, which was forged last week and sparked widespread fury within Somalia, would have granted Ethiopia a lease for a coastal strip around the port of Berbera for 50 years. This arrangement was also tied to Ethiopia’s recognition of Somaliland’s independence.
Somaliland, which declared unilateral independence from Somalia in 1991 following a violent rebellion and subsequent civil war, operates autonomously but is not internationally recognized as an independent state. Ethiopia, a landlocked nation since Eritrea’s secession in 1993, had sought the lease agreement as part of a strategy to diversify its access to seaports, with the Red Sea being vital for its trade routes and overall economic survival.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia declared the agreement “illegal” via a social media post on Saturday and has taken steps to overturn it through the signing of a law. The Somali government has emphasized its commitment to defending the nation’s territorial integrity and autonomy, recalling its ambassador to Ethiopia for urgent consultations.
The cancelled deal drew harsh language from Somalia, with an official statement labeling it as a “blatant transgression and intrusion into the independence, sovereignty and territorial independence of the Federal Republic of Somalia.” The sentiment was echoed by President Mohamud, who addressed parliament with a firm stance, stating, “We will not stand idly by and watch our sovereignty being compromised.”
The diplomatic rift between the two countries comes at a time when talks, mediated by Djibouti, aimed at addressing the longstanding issues between Somalia and Somaliland, were underway.
Somaliland has maintained a semblance of stability and governance, with its own passports and electoral system. Its leaders and citizens saw the now-defunct port deal as a significant stride toward international recognition and economic opportunity, with street celebrations in Somaliland following the initial agreement announcement.
On the Ethiopian side, the government has previously noted the critical nature of the Red Sea for the nation’s future, with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed stating before parliament, “The Red Sea and the Nile will determine Ethiopia.”
The international community has largely rallied in support of Somalia’s position, with the African Union, Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, the United States, and other entities urging Ethiopia to respect Somalia’s sovereignty. Even the Arab League advised Ethiopia to adhere to principles of good neighborliness, while the European Union and the Organisation for Islamic Cooperation also expressed their concerns.
In response, Ethiopia has maintained that the agreement with Somaliland did not violate any laws, highlighting that the region has not been formally recognized despite having consular relations with numerous countries. A statement from Ethiopia’s government painted the deal as beneficial to Somaliland, providing it “assistance and partnership they cannot get from any other country.”
Relevant articles:
– Somalia cancels Ethiopia’s Red Sea deal with Somaliland
– Why is Somalia so angry about Ethiopia’s new Red Sea port deal?