Saturday August 31, 2024
FILE - Djibouti Foreign Minister Mahmoud Ali Youssouf during a meeting.
Mogadishu (HOL) — Djibouti has proposed granting Ethiopia "100 percent management" of one of its ports in a bid to deescalate rising tensions stemming from the controversial Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Ethiopia and Somaliland.
In an interview with the BBC, Djibouti's Foreign Minister Mahmoud Ali Youssouf stressed the importance of maintaining regional stability and respect for national sovereignty. "We are offering Ethiopia 100 percent management of a port in the new corridor that has already been built," Youssouf said. The proposed port in Tadjoura, just 100 kilometres from the Ethiopian border, is seen as a strategic alternative to the disputed Somaliland port deal. "Access to the sea for Ethiopia will not be a problem," he added, framing the offer as a practical solution that could help defuse the escalating crisis.
Youssouf, a candidate for the next African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson, also emphasized the need for dialogue, stating, "The positions of both countries on the issue are very far, very asymmetric, and we need them maybe to think about compromise dialogue. I think once they sit around the table of negotiations with the help of countries like Djibouti, Kenya and others in the region, they can find a compromise. But something is very central in these discussions; the sovereignty of countries should be respected."
The MoU, signed earlier this year, has sparked intense opposition from Somalia, which views Somaliland as an integral part of its territory. The MoU has inflamed public sentiment, with protests erupting in Mogadishu and other parts of the country.
Somalia's government has made it clear that it will not engage in direct talks with Ethiopia unless the MoU is revoked. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has launched a vigorous diplomatic campaign against the agreement, expelling the Ethiopian ambassador and threatening to expel thousands of Ethiopian troops stationed in Somalia unless the MoU is revoked.
Youssouf reiterated Djibouti's concern for Somalia's position, noting, "Somalia said that it's important that Somalia is listened to and that their plea and message are heard by each and every one."
Djibouti, already a critical hub for Ethiopian trade, stands to solidify its role as Ethiopia's primary gateway to the sea while maintaining its economic interests. According to Youssouf, the offer was made by Djibouti's President Ismail Omar Guelleh as a gesture to promote dialogue and prevent further escalation of tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia.
Ethiopia's interest in the Somaliland port is driven by its long-standing desire for sea access, a critical issue for the landlocked nation since losing its coastline following Eritrea's independence in 1993. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has made it clear that gaining sea access is a top priority for his administration, and the MoU with Somaliland is seen as a step toward fulfilling that ambition. The naval base proposed under the MoU would be a significant step toward Ethiopia's goal of becoming a regional maritime power. However, this ambition has raised alarms in neighbouring countries, including Djibouti and Egypt, both of which have strategic interests in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
For Somaliland, the MoU with Ethiopia represents a potential breakthrough in its decades-long quest for international recognition. Since declaring independence from Somalia in 1991, Somaliland has operated with de facto autonomy. However, this move has drawn internal opposition and heightened regional tensions, particularly with Djibouti, which sees the deal as threatening its economic interests.
The relationship between Somaliland and Djibouti has also deteriorated since Somaliland and Ethiopia signed an MoU. Earlier this year, Somaliland President Muse Bihi accused Djibouti of hosting rebels against Somaliland. The Minister of Finance of Djibouti, Ilyas Musa Dawaleh, has denied the accusations.
The Ethiopia-Somaliland MoU and the ensuing diplomatic crisis have also raised security concerns. Somalia has indicated that it does not want Ethiopian troops to be part of the new mission unless the MoU is rescinded. Al-Shabaab, the Islamist militant group that has been waging an insurgency in Somalia for over a decade, could exploit the situation to its advantage.
Youssouf expressed concern over the potential for the conflict to affect regional security, particularly in light of existing threats. "We are all already affected by what has been done so far by the terrorist group Al Shabaab in our region. Right now, we are faced with attacks from the Houthi Group in the Gulf of Aden and the Strait of Bab-el-Mandeb. Although Djibouti is a stable country and quite safe, we cannot say that tensions in the neighbouring countries do not affect us."
The international response to the MoU has largely favoured Somalia's position. The G7, Arab League, OIC, and several Western countries have all condemned the agreement, emphasizing the importance of maintaining Somalia's territorial integrity. Turkey has emerged as a key mediator, hosting unsuccessful talks between Somalia and Ethiopia in Ankara. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will host a second round of negotiations in mid-September. Egypt, which has its own disputes with Ethiopia over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), has emerged as a strong supporter of Somalia in this crisis.
Youssouf concluded with a call for de-escalation, saying, "We are calling on both governments and countries to deescalate first in the narratives and the rhetorics. Djibouti is ready to resume its mediation with the help of Kenya and other countries in the region."
Djibouti's offer to Ethiopia is a major development in the ongoing crisis. As Ethiopia's key economic and strategic partner, Djibouti's willingness to offer an alternative to the Somaliland port could help ease tensions and prevent further escalation.