United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres has called for dialogue between Ethiopia and Somalia to address the escalating tensions arising from Ethiopia’s recent maritime agreement with Somaliland, a breakaway region of Somalia.
Tensions in the Horn of Africa soared after Ethiopia, seeking access to the sea, entered into a deal with Somaliland on January 1. In exchange for maritime access, Somaliland, which declared unilateral independence in 1991, claims Ethiopia will grant it formal recognition. However, Ethiopia has not confirmed this aspect of the agreement.
Somalia rejected any mediation unless the deal is annulled and pledged to oppose it through “all legal means.” Guterres, speaking at a press conference during the G77 plus China summit in Kampala, emphasized the UN’s commitment to principles related to the unity, sovereignty, and territorial independence of nations, including Somalia.
“We hope that through dialogue, it will be possible to overcome the current situation,” Guterres remarked, echoing the calls made by the United States, China, the European Union, African Union, and Arab League to respect Somali sovereignty.
Ethiopia and Somalia, with a history of turbulent relations and territorial disputes, fought two wars in the late 20th century. Somalia has characterized the maritime agreement as an “act of aggression” by Ethiopia, while Ethiopia maintains that no laws have been violated.
The agreement entails Somaliland leasing 20 kilometers (12 miles) of its coast to Ethiopia for 50 years, facilitating the establishment of a naval base and commercial port. Somalia vehemently opposes Somaliland’s claim to independence, not recognized by the international community.
Ethiopia, the second most populous country in Africa, lost access to the coast when Eritrea seceded in 1993 after a three-decade war. Since the Ethiopia-Eritrea war of 1998-2000, Ethiopia has routed most of its sea trade through Djibouti.
While Somaliland enjoys relative stability, Somalia has faced decades of civil war and a persistent Islamist insurgency.
