Monday May 27, 2024
Hargeisa (HOL) — President Muse Bihi Abdi of Somaliland emphasized the strategic importance of a recent agreement with Ethiopia to lease a naval base, which is crucial for addressing renewed insecurity in the Red Sea. This agreement could lead to approximately $3.4 billion in economic investments and aims to reduce Ethiopia's maritime dependence on Djibouti while enhancing security in the Red Sea region.
In an interview with the Financial Times, Bihi highlighted that this agreement enables Somaliland to help secure the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, areas recently destabilized by Yemen's Houthi groups with support from Iran. Bihi also noted that the deal could help prevent potential conflicts between Ethiopia and Eritrea, with Ethiopia's recognition of Somaliland being a key aspect.
Earlier this year, Somaliland and Ethiopia signed a memorandum of understanding allowing Ethiopia to establish a military base in Somaliland's waters and officially recognize Somaliland. Since becoming landlocked in 1993 following its separation from Eritrea, Ethiopia has been seeking access to the sea.
The specific terms of the agreement have not been officially disclosed, leading to some confusion. However, Somaliland has agreed to let Ethiopia construct a commercial port and lease 20 kilometres of coastal land to the Ethiopian navy. In return, Somaliland will acquire a stake in Ethiopian Airlines, the state-owned airline.
Despite claims from Somaliland and Ethiopia that the agreement will foster economic and security integration in the region, the Somali government strongly opposes it. The international community, including the United States, the European Union, the Arab League, and Egypt, has also expressed concerns, warning that this plan could worsen conflicts in the already volatile Horn of Africa region, which is plagued by terrorism and ongoing wars.
Somalia, which views Somaliland as part of its territory, does not recognize any agreements Somaliland enters into without Mogadishu's approval. Following the signing of the agreement, Somalia described it as an act of "aggression" and a "challenge to peace and stability," and recalled its ambassador from Addis Ababa.
Despite Somalia's objections and international pressure, both sides announced that the MoU would soon be formalized into an official agreement, with Ethiopia appointing a full ambassador to Hargeisa.