Somalia is contemplating allowing Ethiopia access to an Indian Ocean port to resolve trade route disputes. Negotiations are ongoing, targeting a framework agreement by June. This comes after heightened tensions linked to Ethiopia’s dealings with Somaliland. Turkey is facilitating negotiations, and Somalia is planning port construction in Hobyo.
Somalia is considering granting landlocked Ethiopia access to a port on the Indian Ocean. This move aims to resolve ongoing tensions between the two nations regarding Ethiopia’s need for a direct maritime trade route. Discussions are underway, with hopes for a framework agreement by June, as indicated by Somalia’s state minister for foreign affairs, Ali Mohamed Omar.
Minister Omar stated that the forthcoming framework agreement will outline the specific port to be offered, detailing its location in the Indian Ocean and associated costs. His remarks followed a meeting between Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in Mogadishu.
Efforts to alleviate heightened tensions began after a January 2024 announcement by Prime Minister Abiy concerning an agreement with Somaliland, a region that Somalia asserts claims over, facilitating access to a port and military base in the Gulf of Aden. In return, Somaliland was promised an unspecified stake in Ethiopian Airlines.
Despite declaring independence in 1991, Somaliland remains unrecognized by any other nation. President Abiy and President Mohamud have committed to resolving their differences by the end of February, aided by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s mediation in December. Additionally, Somalia recently disclosed that Metag Holding from Turkey would initiate construction of a new port at Hobyo by the year’s end.
Ethiopia, the third-largest economy in sub-Saharan Africa, has been landlocked since Eritrea’s independence in 1993, creating a dependency on neighboring ports for trade.
In summary, Somalia’s potential decision to allow Ethiopia access to an Indian Ocean port could alleviate long-standing disputes between the two nations. With a framework agreement anticipated by June, both parties are seeking to improve bilateral relations and address Ethiopia’s need for maritime trade routes. The involvement of Turkey as a mediator may further facilitate progress in this endeavor.
Original Source: gcaptain.com
