Somalia and Ethiopia experience heightened tensions due to the Red Sea agreement

Somalia has refused any form of mediation in its dispute with Ethiopia over a Red Sea access agreement with breakaway Somaliland, stating that a resolution can only be achieved if Ethiopia cancels the agreement.

The relationship between Mogadishu and Addis Ababa has deteriorated since the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Somaliland’s president, Muse Bihi Abdi, granting Ethiopia access to the port of Berbera for 50 years. Despite Somaliland’s declaration of independence in 1991, it has not been internationally recognized as an independent state.

Mogadishu, considering Somaliland as part of its territory, has condemned the maritime pact as an act of aggression and a violation of its territorial integrity and sovereignty.

Somalia has even threatened to go to war to prevent the implementation of the deal, accusing Ethiopia of planning to attack Somali waters and target Arab countries in the Red Sea.

The African Union (AU) has called for restraint and meaningful dialogue between the two member states, but Somalia insists that Ethiopia must retract the “illegal” memorandum of understanding and respect its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The agreement between Ethiopia and Somaliland involves leasing 20km of coastland around the port of Berbera for commercial purposes and the construction of a military base.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who recently joined the BRICS+ group, has emphasized the significance of having access to the Red Sea for Ethiopia’s economic development. As a landlocked country since Eritrea’s secession in 1993, Ethiopia heavily relies on the port of Djibouti for its maritime trade.

However, the recent Somaliland deal has sparked controversy, with Addis Ababa viewing it as a triumph while Mogadishu seeks international support against it. In response, Ethiopian State Minister of Foreign Affairs Mesganu Arega Moach accused the Arab League of interfering in their internal affairs, considering the MOU a violation of international law.

Consequently, both Somalia and Ethiopia have withdrawn their ambassadors from each other’s capitals due to the ongoing port dispute.