Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud accuses Ethiopia of annexation attempt in Somaliland, alleging an attempt to annex part of Somalia’s territory through a recent sea access agreement with the breakaway region of Somaliland.
Mohamud vehemently condemned the agreement, signed on January 1st, characterizing it as an act of border manipulation and a direct threat to Somalia’s sovereignty. Although the specifics of the deal remain undisclosed, it is believed to involve Ethiopia’s construction of a port in Somaliland in exchange for recognition. Despite Somaliland’s de facto independence for three decades, Somalia continues to assert its sovereignty over the region.
The Somali President went further, claiming that senior Ethiopian military officials were present in Somaliland, allegedly laying the groundwork for the territory’s annexation. However, these allegations have not been independently verified.
Somalia has indicated its readiness to resort to military action to prevent Ethiopia from establishing a port in Somaliland. Nonetheless, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has downplayed the likelihood of armed conflict, asserting that he has no intentions of engaging in war with Somalia over the issue.
Mohamud’s visit to Addis Ababa for an African Union summit was marred by alleged interference from Ethiopian security services. He reported facing obstacles leaving his hotel and encountered resistance upon arrival at the AU headquarters, labeling these actions as provocative.
Ethiopia, with a population exceeding 120 million, lost its access to the sea following Eritrea’s secession in 1993. Since then, it has relied on Djibouti’s port for the majority of its imports and exports. Abiy’s previous remarks about Ethiopia’s landlocked status being akin to a “geographical prison” have stirred apprehension among neighboring countries.
The sea access deal with Somaliland holds strategic importance for Ethiopia, providing access to the Gulf of Aden and, ultimately, the Red Sea. However, opinions within Somaliland are divided, with some hopeful for economic benefits while others express concerns about compromising their sovereignty. The region’s defense minister, Abdiqani Mohamud Ateye, resigned in protest over the agreement, underscoring the internal divisions sparked by the deal.
