Somalia And Ethiopia In Talks Over Indian Ocean Port Access

Somalia and Ethiopia are in negotiations over granting Ethiopia access to a port on the Indian Ocean, aiming to finalize a framework agreement by June, according to Ali Mohamed Omar, Somalia’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs.

Key Details of the Agreement

• The framework will define:
  • The type of port to be offered.
  • The exact location on the Indian Ocean.
  • The cost and terms of access.
• Discussions follow a meeting between Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in Mogadishu.

Background of the Dispute

• January 2024: Tensions escalated when Ethiopia announced a deal with Somaliland, seeking:
  • Port access and a military base in the Gulf of Aden.
  • In return, Somaliland was promised a stake in Ethiopian Airlines.
• Somalia strongly opposed the deal, asserting sovereignty over Somaliland, which declared independence in 1991 but remains unrecognized internationally.

Efforts to Resolve the Conflict

• December 2024: A peace initiative led by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan resulted in an accord between Somalia and Ethiopia.
• Both nations agreed to settle the dispute by the end of March 2025.
• Somalia previously awarded a contract to Ankara-based Metag Holding for constructing a new port at Hobyo, set to begin by late 2024.

This negotiation marks a potential breakthrough in regional relations, offering Ethiopia a long-sought trade route to the sea while preserving Somalia’s territorial integrity