Somalia may allow Ethiopia access to an Indian Ocean port, potentially resolving longstanding trade route disputes. Officials are discussing a framework agreement to be finalized by June. Tensions arose after Ethiopia sought to negotiate port access through Somaliland. Recent talks have emphasized the urgency of finding a mutual resolution.
Somalia is considering providing Ethiopia, a landlocked nation, with access to a port on the Indian Ocean. This potential agreement could help resolve ongoing tensions regarding Ethiopia’s need for a direct trade route to the sea. Somali officials, including Foreign Affairs Minister Ali Mohamed Omar, have mentioned plans to establish a framework agreement by June. This framework will outline the type of port, its specific location, and associated costs.
Talks about this arrangement occurred following discussions between Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. Notably, recent tensions between the countries escalated in January 2024, when Abiy announced intentions to negotiate with Somaliland for port access, which Somalia claims as part of its territory.
Despite Somaliland unilaterally declaring independence in 1991, it has not received international recognition. The agreement to tackle disputes was facilitated by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in December, with a resolution deadline set for the end of the current month. Additionally, Puntland’s Metag Holding has announced plans to begin constructing a port in Hobyo by year’s end.
Ethiopia, which is sub-Saharan Africa’s third-largest economy, faces challenges due to its landlocked status after Eritrea’s independence closure in 1993. This dependency on neighboring ports has driven Ethiopia to seek alternative trade routes.
In summary, Somalia is actively considering granting Ethiopia access to a port on the Indian Ocean, a significant step towards addressing long-standing trade route challenges. The upcoming framework agreement may provide clarity on the port’s specifics and costs, while ongoing discussions indicate a mutual interest in de-escalating tensions. With the deadline for resolution fast approaching, it remains to be seen how this situation will evolve in the coming months.
Original Source: gcaptain.com
