ADDIS ABABA: The Chairperson of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat has appealed for calm and mutual respect to de-escalate the simmering tension between Ethiopia and Somalia following the signing of a port access agreement between the former and Somaliland.
Somaliland is an unrecognized state in the Horn of Africa, recognized internationally as de jure part of Somalia.
In a statement, Mahamat urged both countries to exercise restraint and avoid actions that could unintentionally worsen relations between the two neighboring East African nations. He emphasized the importance of respecting the unity, territorial integrity, and sovereignty of all African Union member states, including Somalia and Ethiopia.
The port access deal, signed on January 1 by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Somaliland leader Muse Bihi Abdi, grants Ethiopia access to 20 kilometers around the port of Berbera on the Somaliland side, facilitating access to the Red Sea for naval and commercial purposes. In return, Ethiopia would officially recognize Somaliland as an independent state, making it the first country to do so.
The agreement was rejected by the Somali government, which views Somaliland as part of its territory. Somalia summoned its ambassador to Ethiopia for discussions on the deal and vowed to defend its territory, describing the agreement as an “aggression” and a “blatant assault” on its sovereignty by Ethiopia.
Mahamat stressed the need for both countries to engage in negotiations promptly to address their differences in a constructive, peaceful, and collaborative manner. He emphasized the significance of adhering to the norms of good neighborliness to promote and consolidate peace, security, and stability in the Horn of Africa region. Mahamat reassured that the African Union would strongly support efforts to find an African solution to the tension.
Moreover, Mahamat reaffirmed that Somalia, which signed the Treaty of Accession to the East African Community (EAC) on December 15, 2023, is moving closer to becoming the eighth full member of the regional bloc.
