Ethiopia and Somalia Urged to Swiftly Execute Maritime Access Agreement
The African Union urges Ethiopia and Somalia to promptly implement an agreement aimed at resolving tensions over maritime access. Following Turkish negotiations, both nations demonstrated a commitment to cooperate on ensuring Ethiopia’s access to the sea under Somalia’s sovereignty. Concerns persist regarding the future of Ethiopia’s prior deal with Somaliland, amidst calls for urgent execution of the new accord.
The African Union has called upon Somalia and Ethiopia to promptly execute a newly proposed agreement aimed at alleviating ongoing tensions regarding Ethiopia’s access to the sea. This call comes after Ethiopia’s significant deal with Somaliland, a breakaway region of Somalia, seeking to lease coastal land for port and military use. This arrangement has strained relations, with Somalia viewing it as a violation of its sovereignty, raising concerns of potential conflict in the region.
Following negotiations facilitated by Turkey, an “historic” agreement has been reached to enhance cooperation to ensure Ethiopia’s secure access to maritime routes, under Somalia’s sovereignty. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud expressed a commitment to mutual cooperation for regional peace. The urgency of implementing the agreement was emphasized by African Union Commission Chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat. Despite the deal, uncertainties remain about the impact on the previous arrangement between Ethiopia and Somaliland, with analysts suggesting no changes to the earlier memorandum. Both parties are set to commence technical discussions by February, aiming to finalize the accord in four months.
Ethiopia has long sought access to international waters, given its landlocked status since Eritrea’s independence in 1993. The establishment of a coastal deal with Somaliland threatens to reignite historical tensions with Somalia, a nation it has had a complex relationship with, particularly over territorial sovereignty issues. The agreement, brokered by Turkey, is seen as a crucial step to foster stability in a region characterized by geopolitical strife and competitions for maritime control. The involvement of major diplomatic players, including the United States and the United Nations, highlights the agreement’s significance to not only Ethiopia and Somalia but also to East Africa’s broader security landscape.
The agreement between Ethiopia and Somalia represents a pivotal movement towards regional cooperation and tension resolution. Urgent implementation is necessary to mitigate risks associated with sovereignty disputes over maritime access. However, the prevailing concerns regarding the implications for the previous agreement with Somaliland suggest that careful negotiation and dialogue will remain key to upholding peace and stability within the region.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
