The authorities in Addis Ababa may consider abandoning a controversial deal with breakaway Somaliland as Somalia with Türkiye’s encouragement reportedly dangles a ‘mouth watering’ offer of port access for its trade.
Ethiopia is a landlocked country looking for access to regional ports to strengthen its trade with the rest of the world, explaining its agreement with Somaliland which had allowed it access to a port on its Red Sea coast.
However, Ethiopia may rethink. Under a potential deal, Somalia would provide Ethiopia with access to a port, as Ethiopia in return would abandon its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Somaliland signed on January 1st 2024.
This agreement aims to resolve longstanding tensions between the two countries and improve their diplomatic relations.
The foreign ministers of Ethiopia and Somalia were scheduled to meet in Ankara Monday, with Türkiye mediating the negotiations.
According to diplomatic reports, they have tentatively accepted a reconciliation proposal put forth by Turkey.
In a statement issued from Mogadishu on August 11, 2024, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud held a phone call with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of Türkiye.
President Mohamud emphasised Türkiye’s critical role in promoting dialogue and peaceful resolutions to the region’s challenges.
He also reiterated Somalia’s readiness to engage in economic and development cooperation with Ethiopia but firmly stressed that such partnerships must always respect his country’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity, and adhere to international law and norms.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had earlier tweeted that he had spoken with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, stating, “If Ethiopia takes steps to reverse any threat to Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, it will aid the discussion process.”
This statement implies that Ethiopia must formally abandon its agreement with Somaliland to move forward with the proposed arrangement.
It is not clear whether Addis Ababa has abandoned the Somaliland deal.
MG/abj/APA