NAIROBI, Kenya — In a bid to resolve ongoing tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia, Djibouti’s Foreign Minister Mohamud Ali Yusuf has floated a proposal to grant Ethiopia full control over a port located less than 100 km from their shared border.
This initiative revealed in recent statements, aims to provide Ethiopia with direct sea access, potentially de-escalating regional conflicts over maritime rights.
The proposal comes on the heels of Ethiopia’s controversial deal with Somaliland, which allowed Ethiopia access to the port of Berbera in exchange for recognition and other benefits, a move that Somalia has vehemently opposed, citing it as a violation of its sovereignty.
Ethiopia, Africa’s second-most populous nation, has been landlocked since Eritrea’s secession in 1993, making access to sea routes crucial for its economic development. The port control offered by Djibouti could serve as an alternative, allowing Ethiopia to manage its maritime trade independently without the political complexities involved with Somaliland.
Djibouti’s Foreign Minister, speaking to various media outlets, emphasized that this arrangement respects Somalia’s territorial integrity, a point central to the ongoing diplomatic efforts in the region. The proposal includes not only port management but also the establishment of a new commercial corridor, which could significantly alter trade dynamics in the Horn of Africa.
This diplomatic maneuver by Djibouti is seen as an attempt to mediate between Somalia and Ethiopia, countries whose relations have been strained over issues of border control, recognition of Somaliland, and maritime access. While the proposal has been met with mixed reactions, it underscores Djibouti’s strategic positioning as a mediator and its interest in maintaining stability in the region.
The exact terms of how this port control would be implemented, including the specifics of the port in question, remain under discussion. However, this initiative marks a significant step towards potentially resolving one of the most contentious issues in the Horn of Africa, where geopolitical strategies are often intertwined with economic necessities.
The response from both Somalia and Ethiopia to this proposal is yet to be officially detailed, but regional observers see this as a constructive move towards peace and economic cooperation in an area historically fraught with conflict.
