Ethiopia has not responded to Djibouti’s proposal for easing maritime tensions with Somalia, which offers joint management of a port for Ethiopia’s access to the sea. Djibouti’s Foreign Affairs Minister stated the proposal is still available, while Somalia is open to commercial agreements but prohibits military presence on its territory. Turkey’s mediation attempts have yet to succeed, highlighting the complexity of negotiations.
Ethiopia has not publicly responded to Djibouti’s recent proposal aimed at alleviating tensions between Ethiopia and Somalia, even after a month has passed since the initial offer. Djibouti’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Mohamoud Ali Youssouf, indicated that Djibouti is ready to facilitate a resolution regarding access to the sea for Ethiopia, a country that is landlocked. Djibouti has proposed to provide a port, which would be jointly managed by both nations. In a statement to Voice of America, Youssouf mentioned that they are still awaiting a reply from Ethiopia on this offer, which specifically involves the Tojarah port in northern Djibouti. This port is proposed as a substitute entry point to the sea for Ethiopia, which traditionally depends on neighboring countries for its trade routes. Ethiopia has been striving for maritime access through Somalia and has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Somaliland, a region that declared independence from Somalia. Youssouf asserted, “The proposal remains on the table. We aim to reduce tensions between Ethiopia and Somalia by offering a northern port to Ethiopia for commercial use.” He further noted that if the proposal is accepted, it could foster joint ventures that would benefit both economies. Somalia has expressed its unwillingness to permit any military facilities on its territory but remains open to commercial agreements with Ethiopia. Furthermore, Ethiopia has acknowledged Somaliland’s sovereignty in exchange for access to 20 kilometers of the Red Sea. Mohamoud emphasized, “If Ethiopia wants commercial access, we are open to that. But there will be no naval base.” Efforts to mediate the ongoing dispute have been made, particularly by Turkey; however, the anticipated discussions did not occur last month as Somalia demanded that Ethiopia rescind its agreement with Somaliland before any negotiations could take place.
The article discusses the diplomatic relationship between Ethiopia, Djibouti, and Somalia amidst efforts to ease tensions over maritime access. Ethiopia, being a landlocked country, heavily relies on neighboring nations for trade routes to the sea. Djibouti’s proposal for a jointly managed port aims to provide an alternative access point for Ethiopia, which could potentially reduce bilateral tensions. Somalia’s stance against military presence strengthens its resolve to create a purely commercial arrangement, complicating the negotiations. The involvement of external mediators, such as Turkey, highlights the international interest in stabilizing this region.
The silence of Ethiopia regarding Djibouti’s proposal signifies ongoing diplomatic challenges in seeking a resolution to maritime access issues. While Djibouti remains proactive in offering a viable solution through the Tojarah port, Somalia’s conditions complicate the discussions. The international community continues to watch these developments, hoping for a peaceful resolution that benefits all parties involved.
Original Source: www.garoweonline.com
