A request from Ethiopia to enter into negotiations for a Red Sea port was rejected by Somalia.
As a result of the three-decade war that preceded Eritrea’s independence, 1993, Ethiopia lost direct access to the sea.
The Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed warned last week that his country’s inability to access a harbor could lead to future conflict. He urged the government to address the issue to safeguard regional peace.
State Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Omar stated in a text message that while Somalia is “highly committed” to strengthening peace, security, trade, and integration, it is not interested in granting access to a port or other vital asset.As stated in our constitution, “Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity—land, sea, and air is scared and not subject to debate.”
Ethiopia has “natural rights” to have direct access to the Red Sea, according to Abiy, who stated this in a speech that was broadcasted on Oct. 13. If this right is denied, “there will be no fairness and justice, and if there is no fairness and justice, it’s only a matter of time before we fight,” he added.
The prime minister’s remarks, according to Eritrea, were “excessive,” and they added that “the affair has baffled all concerned observers.” Abiy’s position has been held for some time, albeit it has recently been expressed in a much more direct manner, according to Alexis Mohamed, senior adviser to Djiboutian President Ismail Omar Guelleh.
“Djibouti will wait for Ethiopia to propose a peaceful means to access the Red Sea, while recognising that Djibouti has always been open to have good relations with neighboring countries and notably Ethiopia,†advisor Mohamed voiced on phone. He noted Djibouti’s openness to already provide access to Ethiopia’s navy.
