NAIROBI, Kenya: Reflecting its dissatisfaction with a contentious agreement, Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has signed a law “nullifying” the deal between Ethiopia and Somaliland. The agreement, signed on Monday, aimed to grant Ethiopia access to the Red Sea through Somaliland, a region that declared independence in 1991, a claim not internationally recognized. The law, signed on Saturday evening, is largely symbolic, expressing the central government’s opposition to the deal.
President Mohamud stated that the law voids the “illegal” pact and is an illustration of the government’s commitment to safeguard unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity in accordance with international law. While Somalia staunchly opposes Somaliland’s claim to independence, it has limited authority over the de facto state. Somaliland has its own government, security forces, and currency, and the port agreement with Ethiopia has further strained relations.
ALSO READ: AU Urges Calm as Ethiopia-Somalia Tensions Rise Over Somaliland Port Deal
The agreement grants Ethiopia access to commercial maritime services and a military base, with Somaliland leasing 20 kilometers (12 miles) of coastline for 50 years. Ethiopia, the second most populous country in Africa, seeks an alternative route to the sea after being cut off from the coast following Eritrea’s secession in 1993. The conflict with Eritrea led to the loss of Ethiopia’s access to a port, and since then, it has relied on Djibouti for trade.
Somalia condemned the agreement, describing it as an act of “aggression” and a violation of its sovereignty. The central government in Mogadishu has vowed to oppose the deal through legal means. The African Union, United States, European Union, and the Arab League have called for calm and urged respect for Somalia’s sovereignty.
The port agreement has raised tensions in the Horn of Africa, prompting concerns about regional stability. The international community is closely monitoring the situation, emphasizing the need for diplomatic resolutions and the protection of Somalia’s territorial integrity.
