Ethiopia Remains Silent on Djibouti’s Initiative to Alleviate…

Ethiopia has not yet responded to Djibouti’s proposal to ease tensions with Somalia, which includes offering a joint-managed port as a solution to Ethiopia’s access issue. While Djibouti seeks to enhance economic ties, Somalia remains wary of military involvement in any agreements. Diplomatic attempts from Turkey to mediate have stalled, exacerbating regional tensions.

Ethiopia has yet to respond to Djibouti’s recent initiative aimed at mitigating tensions with Somalia, more than a month after the proposal was made public. Djibouti’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Mohamoud Ali Youssouf, expressed his country’s willingness to assist in resolving the conflict concerning Ethiopia’s access to maritime routes. Djibouti has offered to provide a port, to be collaboratively administered by both nations, as a solution to Ethiopia’s landlocked status. In a recent interview, Minister Youssouf stated that Djibouti is still anticipating a formal response from Ethiopia regarding the proposal concerning the Tojarah port in northern Djibouti. This port is suggested as an alternative maritime access point for Ethiopia, which currently relies on its neighbors for trade due to its lack of direct access to the sea. Ethiopia has been pursuing maritime access through Somalia and has already entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Somaliland, a region that has declared independence from Somalia. Youssouf remarked, “The proposal remains on the table. We aim to reduce tensions between Ethiopia and Somalia by offering a northern port to Ethiopia for commercial use.” He noted that should the agreement be accepted, it has the potential to foster joint ventures that could enhance the economies of both Djibouti and Ethiopia. Somalia, while firm in its refusal to allow any military presence on its territory, has indicated openness to commercially collaborating with Ethiopia. However, it is clear that any agreements must not involve military operations. Mohamoud Ali Youssouf emphasized, “If Ethiopia wants commercial access, we are open to that. But there will be no naval base.” Attempts by Turkey to mediate discussions between Ethiopia and Somalia remain unfruitful, as Somalia has maintained that for negotiations to proceed, Ethiopia must retract its agreement with Somaliland. A scheduled meeting between the two nations facilitated by Turkey was canceled last month due to these ongoing tensions.

The historical tensions between Ethiopia and Somalia primarily stem from territorial disputes and differing recognition of regional governance, particularly concerning Somaliland. The ongoing issues regarding trade routes have further complicated relationships, leading Ethiopia to seek alternatives for sea access. As a landlocked nation, Ethiopia relies heavily on neighboring countries for trade, making Djibouti’s recent proposal significant. The complications arising from Somalia’s stance against foreign military presence and the diplomatic intricacies of regional agreements underscore the delicate nature of this geopolitical issue. Djibouti’s proposal is seen as a potential path towards economic collaboration and reduced hostilities between the involved nations.

Ethiopia’s silence regarding Djibouti’s offer highlights the complexities of its diplomatic relationships in the Horn of Africa, particularly with Somalia. Djibouti’s proposal to provide port access aims to foster economic collaboration while easing regional tensions. However, Somalia remains cautious, maintaining that any agreements must not infringe on its sovereignty concerning military presence. The lack of progress in Turkey’s mediation further complicates the situation, illustrating the challenges faced in resolving longstanding regional disputes.

Original Source: www.garoweonline.com