U.S. Dismisses Ethiopia-North Western State of Somalia Port Agreement, Calls for Diplomatic Engagement with Somalia

The deal allowing Ethiopia access to North Western State of Somalia’s Red Sea coast has ignited a diplomatic skirmish. Somalia views this as a breach of its sovereignty since North Western State of Somalia, despite declaring independence in 1991, remains part of Somalia in Mogadishu’s eyes. Somali Foreign Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi suggested that Somalia might support Ethiopian rebel factions if Ethiopia continues with the agreement. “The option to engage with armed rebels in Ethiopia…is available to us,” Fiqi stated on September 12.

Reasserting U.S. policy in the Horn of Africa, U.S. Special Envoy Mike Hammer stressed America’s support for Somalia. “Let me clearly state that the United States backs Somalia’s territorial sovereignty, integrity, and unity,” said Hammer.

“There’s no reason these two nations can’t resolve their issues through discussions. But both must adhere to the African Union’s principles of respecting territorial sovereignty, integrity, and unity,” Hammer explained to reporters at the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa.

The Ethiopia-North Western State of Somalia memorandum of understanding (MoU) exposes an already tense region with a history marred by conflict, particularly wars in the 1970s and ’80s. Although relations have improved over the following decades, the recent deal has rekindled old animosities. Ethiopia’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the African Union, Nebiyu Tedla, denounced Somalia’s position, calling it “hollow nationalism” that jeopardizes years of progress.

The rift widens with Ethiopia worried about Somalia’s growing security alignment with Egypt. Ethiopia, entangled in disputes with Egypt over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) project, sees Somalia’s ties with Cairo as a threat. Recently, Ethiopian military aircraft delivered aid to Somalia, causing unease in Addis Ababa regarding possible Egyptian sway in the region. Ethiopia has formally alerted the United States about the potential deployment of Egyptian troops to Somalia, especially with the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) ending in late 2024.

U.S. Special Envoy to the Horn of Africa, Mike Hammer, is actively mediating. During a visit to Addis Ababa on Friday, Hammer pressed for dialogue between Ethiopia and Somalia, encouraging both nations to respect African Union principles. “There is no reason that these two countries should have difficulties that can’t be resolved through conversations,” Hammer reiterated, pointing out the mutual threat of al-Shabab as a unifying factor for cooperation.

The U.S. is also troubled by the potential regional fallout of the Ethiopia-Somalia conflict. The possibility of both countries backing each other’s insurgent groups recalls the 1970s and ’80s when Ethiopia and Somalia supported rebels against each other’s governments, leading to prolonged regional instability.

Ethiopia’s current turmoil is compounded by internal conflicts, particularly in the Amhara and Oromia regions, triggering widespread humanitarian crises. Foreign Minister Taye Atske-Selassie has called for easing regional tensions, while firmly opposing foreign troop deployments in Somalia.

Somalia regards the MoU as an assault on its territorial integrity. In recent interviews, Foreign Minister Fiqi expressed concerns that Ethiopia’s actions might push Somalia towards measures it has avoided, such as backing Ethiopian insurgent movements. Nonetheless, he underscored Somalia’s preference for diplomatic solutions.

Despite past efforts, the dispute remains unresolved. Ethiopia and Somalia were set to meet in Ankara this week for more talks, but the meeting has been postponed. The U.S. remains cautiously hopeful, with Ambassador Riley and Special Envoy Hammer committed to encouraging dialogue.