Somalia Rejects Mediation Over Somaliland Port Deal

Ethiopia-Somalia Feud Escalates as Somalia Rejects Mediation Over Somaliland Port Deal

In the ongoing dispute between Ethiopia and Somalia, Mogadishu has categorically rejected any possibility of mediation unless Ethiopia annuls a contentious deal with the breakaway region of Somaliland. The tension arose when Ethiopia, a landlocked nation, entered into a memorandum of understanding with Somaliland on January 1, granting it access to the sea.

                                           

Somalia asserts that its territorial integrity has been violated by the agreement and, in response, declared that mediation would only be considered if Ethiopia retracts its "illegal MOU" and reaffirms Somalia's sovereignty. The African Union's conflict resolution body recently discussed the crisis, urging both nations to exercise restraint and engage in meaningful dialogue for a peaceful resolution.

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), an eight-country trade bloc, is also addressing the Ethiopia-Somalia feud at an extraordinary summit in Uganda. The summit, encompassing South Sudan, Djibouti, Kenya, and Eritrea, aims to navigate the escalating conflict between the two nations along with addressing the situation in Sudan.

Somalia contends that its sovereignty has been compromised by the pact, seeking international support. Somaliland, a former British protectorate that declared independence from Somalia in 1991 (unrecognized by the international community), agreed under the January 1 deal to lease 20 kilometres of its coast to Ethiopia for 50 years. Ethiopia's objective is to establish a naval base and commercial port on the coast, addressing its historical quest for sea access.

With a population of approximately 100 million people, Ethiopia has long sought access to the sea following Eritrea's declaration of independence in 1993. The nation currently relies heavily on neighbouring Djibouti for its maritime trade. The deal with Somaliland is seen within Ethiopia as a significant economic and strategic victory, especially in light of its previous emphasis on the economic need for a seaport and considerations of potential access to the Red Sea.

As tensions rise in the Horn of Africa, the international community closely watches developments, emphasizing the importance of diplomatic solutions to prevent further escalation in the region.