Ethiopia has not responded to Djibouti’s proposal intended to ease tensions with Somalia regarding sea access. Djibouti offered joint management of the Tojarah port to facilitate trade for landlocked Ethiopia. Somalia remains firm on its stance against military presence while being open to commercial partnerships. Mediations, notably by Turkey, continue to face obstacles, complicating resolution efforts.
Ethiopia has yet to respond publicly to Djibouti’s recent proposal aimed at mitigating tensions between Addis Ababa and Mogadishu. This initiative, which has received endorsement from various international stakeholders, was articulated by Djibouti’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Mohamoud Ali Youssouf. Minister Youssouf indicated that Djibouti is prepared to facilitate the ongoing conflict regarding Ethiopia’s access to the sea by offering the joint management of the Tojarah port located in northern Djibouti. Youssouf elaborated on Djibouti’s commitment during an interview with Voice of America, emphasizing that the offer remains pending an official response from Ethiopia. He reiterated the urgency of this proposal, given Ethiopia’s landlocked status, which anchors its dependency on neighboring countries for trade access. Presently, Ethiopia is engaged in negotiations to secure coastline access, having already established a Memorandum of Understanding with Somaliland—a region with a contentious stance regarding its autonomy from Somalia. Moreover, Youssouf remarked, “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 suggested that acceptance of this agreement could catalyze joint economic ventures beneficial to both countries. While Somalia has asserted its refusal to permit any military installations on its territory, it remains receptive to commercial agreements with Ethiopia. Youssouf reaffirmed that Djibouti’s proposition does not intend to accommodate military presence, stating, “If Ethiopia wants commercial access, we are open to that. But there will be no naval base.” Efforts for mediation by Turkey, aimed at reconciling the disputes involving Ethiopia and Somalia, have similarly faced challenges. A scheduled meeting between representatives from both nations was canceled following Somalia’s insistence that Ethiopia rescind its agreement with Somaliland as a prerequisite for negotiation discussions.
The political landscape between Ethiopia and Somalia remains precarious, primarily due to Ethiopia’s quest for sea access, which is critical for its trade and economic growth as it is a landlocked nation. Traditionally, Ethiopia has relied on its neighboring countries for maritime routes, impacting its foreign relations, particularly with Somalia. Djibouti, with its strategic advantage of having multiple ports, seeks to leverage its geographical position to facilitate improved economic and diplomatic relations between Ethiopia and Somalia. Djibouti’s proposal is an attempt at peaceful resettlement of ongoing tensions regarding access to ocean ports, and it aims to foster economic integration in the Horn of Africa. Furthermore, the involvement of international actors such as Turkey indicates a larger geopolitical interest in stabilizing the region, but complex local politics complicate these efforts.
In summary, Ethiopia’s silence on Djibouti’s proposal to ease tensions with Somalia highlights the complexities and challenges involved in resolving disputes over maritime access and regional cooperation. Djibouti remains committed to providing an alternative to Ethiopia for trade access via the Tojarah port, while Somalia’s position complicates discussions by firmly rejecting military installations. With initiatives for mediation still ongoing, the future of the relationship between Ethiopia, Somalia, and Djibouti hinges on diplomatic negotiations and potential economic collaborations.
Original Source: www.garoweonline.com
