Monday January 22, 2024
Mogadishu (HOL) - Amidst a backdrop of escalating tensions in the Horn of Africa, Ethiopia has criticized international reactions to its recent memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Somaliland. Redwan Hussien, National Security Advisor to Ethiopia's Prime Minister, has accused unnamed international actors of harbouring animosity towards Ethiopia under the guise of supporting Somalia.
"While this is the reality, some actors who have not provided much support for Somalia during its time of dire need are trying to present themselves as its true friends. But it is clear that what motivates them is not amity towards Somalia but animosity towards Ethiopia," Hussien stated. This statement comes in the wake of growing international criticism over the MoU, which grants Ethiopia access to a 20-kilometre stretch of Somaliland's coastline for establishing a marine force base.
During a meeting for the Ethiopian diplomatic corps last week, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Ethiopia Demeke Mekonnen confirmed his administration is facing mounting international pressure to annul its pact with Somaliland.
Ethiopia rejected the Arab League's recent demand for Ethiopia to annul its agreement with Somaliland. Its Foreign Affairs Minister, Misganu Arega, criticized the Arab League's stance as an unwarranted interference in Ethiopia's internal affairs, signalling Ethiopia's determination to proceed with the agreement.
The agreement, which includes provisions for a 20-kilometre stretch of Somaliland's coastline for naval access in exchange for potential recognition of the self-declared republic, has been met with skepticism and alarm. Critics, including neighbouring countries and international organizations, view this as a potentially destabilizing act in a geopolitically sensitive region.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi has voiced strong opposition, aligning Egypt with Somalia in the dispute. During a joint news conference with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud in Cairo, El-Sissi condemned the agreement and called on Ethiopia to seek port access through transitional means in Somalia and Djibouti rather than attempting to control another country's territory.
The controversy over the Ethiopia-Somaliland agreement adds a layer to the existing tensions between Egypt and Ethiopia over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Nile River. The decade-long dispute over the dam's impact on downstream water resources remains unresolved, further complicating the regional dynamics.
Somaliland, strategically located by the Gulf of Aden, declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but has not received international recognition. Somalia has perceived the region's agreement with Ethiopia as a violation of its sovereignty and international law, a sentiment echoed by Somali President Sheikh Mohamud.
The Ethiopian government's approach, while framed as a commitment to regional peace and security, is now under scrutiny for possibly exacerbating tensions in the Horn of Africa. Hussien's recent comments criticizing unnamed international actors highlight the growing complexity and sensitivity of the situation. These remarks suggest a defensive stance by Ethiopia in the face of mounting international criticism.
The lack of transparency surrounding the specifics of the MoU, particularly regarding the terms of Ethiopian naval access and the extent of recognition for Somaliland, has further complicated the regional diplomatic landscape. This opacity has raised concerns about the potential implications for Somalia's sovereignty and the broader stability of the Horn of Africa.