Thursday August 15, 2024
Ambassador Nebiyu Tedla, spokesperson for Ethiopia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, addresses the press on the nation’s ongoing diplomatic efforts to secure sea access, during a briefing in Addis Ababa.
Mogadishu (HOL) — Ethiopia is intensifying its diplomatic efforts to secure a reliable and safe route to the sea, according to a statement from Ambassador Nebiyu Tedla, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This pursuit, long a strategic priority for the landlocked nation, has gained new urgency under Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s leadership.
“Ethiopia will continue to strengthen diplomatic efforts to secure dependable and secure access to and from the sea,” Ambassador Tedla declared during a recent press briefing. This effort, however, continues to spark concerns in neighbouring Somalia, where officials have accused Ethiopia of infringing on Somali sovereignty, particularly after a contentious agreement between Ethiopia and Somaliland.
Somalia’s Minister of Information, Da’uud Aweys, responded firmly, stating that Somalia will not compromise its sovereignty and territorial integrity. This dispute has drawn attention from regional and international actors, highlighting the complex dynamics in the Horn of Africa.
Somaliland has doubled down on its commitment to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ethiopia. Despite the ongoing diplomatic rift, Somaliland has asserted its sovereign right to enter into international agreements independently. In a statement released on Tuesday, Somaliland expressed its dissatisfaction with Turkey’s role as a mediator in the talks between Ethiopia and the Mogadishu administration, accusing Turkey of partiality and interference.
“Turkey is not respecting the Sovereignty of the Republic of Somaliland, and Somaliland will not accept this,” declared President Muse Bihi Abdi during a rally in Berbera. He emphasized that Somaliland will not allow any nation to dictate its actions or undermine its sovereignty.
Djibouti’s Foreign Minister, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, expressed concern over the widening gap between Ethiopia and Somalia’s positions, calling for compromise to resolve the conflict. “The positions of both countries on respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity are vastly different,” Youssouf remarked, emphasizing the need for diplomatic flexibility.
Somalia has sought support from its international allies, with Egypt emerging as a key backer. During a recent Arab League summit, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Hassan Shoukry voiced strong support for Somalia and issued a warning to Ethiopia, cautioning “serious consequences for violating international laws.”
Recent negotiations in Turkey aimed at easing tensions have failed to yield concrete results. A third round of talks is scheduled for September 17.
Tedla expressed Ethiopia’s appreciation to Turkey for facilitating the talks and confirmed plans for a third round of negotiations. However, the lack of a confirmed date for these discussions suggests that the path to resolution remains uncertain.
Beyond the diplomatic push for sea access, Ethiopia is also deeply involved in Somalia’s peacekeeping operations. As a key contributor to the African Union Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), Ethiopia is closely monitoring the transition to a new mission, the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia, which is expected to see troops, including forces from Egypt and Djibouti, deployed by early 2025. Somalia, which has accused Ethiopia of unauthorized troop incursions into its terriroty, does not want Ethiopia to be part of a future AU mission.
Ambassador Tedla emphasized the importance of considering the views of all troop-contributing countries during this transition to ensure regional security and stability. “The countries that currently contribute troops to ATMIS are important stakeholders.”