Somaliland Grants Ethiopia Access to the Red Sea

Somaliland intends to provide landlocked Ethiopia with access to the Red Sea through an agreement, which holds significant importance for the country’s economy. However, Somalia disputes the validity of this agreement.

The Ethiopian government announced that Somaliland plans to grant landlocked Ethiopia access to the Red Sea following a meeting between Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi. The two leaders signed a joint declaration in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, enabling Ethiopia to utilize the port of Berbera on the southern coast of the Gulf of Aden.

Abiy’s office stated that the agreement strengthens the “security, economic, and political partnership.” The agreement also includes the construction of an Ethiopian military base along the coast of Somaliland.

An Important Trade Route

Ethiopia, with a population of approximately 126 million, has long been seeking a possible access point to the Red Sea for economic reasons. The Red Sea serves as a vital trade route that connects East Africa with the Middle East, Europe, and Asia.

Abiy announced a few weeks ago that he would prioritize this issue. Previously, Ethiopia’s only trade route to the Red Sea was via the port of Djibouti, but it involved extremely high costs. Past negotiations with neighboring Eritrea and Somalia proved unsuccessful and often resulted in political tensions.

Somalia Does Not Recognize the Agreement

Somaliland, located in northwestern Somalia, possesses a long coastline along the Gulf of Aden. It unilaterally declared independence in 1991 and has established its own government, army, and currency. However, Somaliland is not internationally recognized as a separate state but rather considered part of Somalia.

The Somali government has condemned the plans as an attack on its sovereignty and called for the UN Security Council and the African Union to promptly address the matter. Somalia argues that Ethiopia’s actions jeopardize stability and peace in the region. As a response, Somalia has recalled its ambassador from Ethiopia.