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EU supports Somalia's sovereignty amid Ethiopia-Somaliland port agreement
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    Thursday January 4, 2024


    Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. CREDIT: EU Parliament


    Brussels (HOL) - European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell reinforced the bloc's support for Somalia's sovereignty and territorial integrity during a phone call on Thursday with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. The EU's crucial diplomatic affirmation comes amid escalating tensions in the Horn of Africa, triggered by a contentious maritime agreement between Ethiopia and the breakaway region of Somaliland.

    Earlier this week, the EU issued a statement highlighting the importance of respecting Somalia's territorial integrity, especially after the controversial deal between Somaliland and Ethiopia. This agreement, which involves Ethiopia gaining access to the Red Sea via the port of Berbera in Somaliland, has been a focal point of regional and international concern.

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    The memorandum, signed by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi in Addis Ababa, proposes leasing 20km of Somaliland's coastline to Ethiopia. In return, Somaliland would receive stakes in Ethiopia's flagship carrier, Ethiopian Airlines, and more contentiously, formal recognition as a sovereign state.

    Somalia's vehement rejection of the deal, citing it as a violation of its sovereignty, was echoed in President Mohamud's emphatic statement, "Not an inch of Somalia can or will be signed away by anybody." This stance is further bolstered by international support, as evidenced by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the United States both rejecting any act violating Somalia's territorial integrity.

    Despite the latter's insistence on settled recognition, the ambiguity surrounding Ethiopia's formal recognition of Somaliland complicates the situation. This uncertainty has led to speculation about the possible impact of the 2018 tripartite treaty involving Ethiopia, Somalia, and Eritrea, though details of this agreement also remain undisclosed.

    This unfolding drama is not merely a regional affair but also intersects with broader international interests. Egypt, under President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi, has extended support to Somalia, aligning against the Ethiopia-Somaliland agreement. 

    The United States, through State Department Spokesperson Matt Miller,  has also reaffirmed recognition of Somalia's sovereignty within its 1960 borders on Wednesday, highlighting the increased tensions. Miller's comments come after the European Union made similar comments a day earlier.

    Ethiopia's pursuit of a seaport is a strategic move to alleviate its landlocked status, a challenge it has faced since Eritrea's independence in 1991. The nation's heavy reliance on Djibouti for maritime trade has been economically taxing, prompting efforts to diversify its seaport access. The current agreement with Somaliland offers a critical alternative, potentially redefining regional trade routes.

    However, the timing and nature of this deal have raised eyebrows globally. Amidst Ethiopia's internal conflicts and economic struggles, including a recent default on a $33 million international bond interest payment, this maritime agreement is seen as an attempt to shift the narrative from financial despair to strategic triumph.

     





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