In the bustling capital of Somalia, Mogadishu, Foreign Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi has firmly put to rest rumors swirling around about Ethiopia allegedly being granted access to the Red Sea by Somalia. Describing these rumors as unfounded hogwash, Fiqi emphasized Somalia’s commitment to safeguarding its sovereignty and maintaining complete openness about national matters.
“I categorically refute claims that Ethiopia has been granted access to the Red Sea. These baseless assertions lack any foundation. Somalia remains committed to protecting its sovereignty and ensuring transparency on national issues,” Fiqi articulated on the social media platform, X.
The uproar began after a previous statement, supposedly made by Fiqi, hinted at Somalia consenting to Ethiopia’s request for Red Sea access as part of the widely-discussed Ankara Declaration. This was a significant deal orchestrated by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on December 11, 2024.
The Ankara Declaration was envisioned as a peace-building measure between Somalia and Ethiopia, especially after Ethiopia’s contentious Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with North Western State of Somalia, dated January 1, 2024. This MoU allowed Ethiopia access to the Red Sea while North Western State of Somalia aspired for acknowledgment as a sovereign entity.
Integral to the Ankara Declaration are technical committees, tasked with ironing out any maritime wrinkles, having a deadline of mid-2025 to untangle these issues. Naturally, such an agreement has stirred the pot of controversy, particularly within the Tripartite Alliance comprising Somalia, Eritrea, and Egypt, all of whom stand firmly opposed to Ethiopia’s assertions over Red Sea access.
The governments of Eritrea and Egypt have signaled red alert, perceiving Ethiopia’s endeavors as a potential destabilizer for regional harmony. Eritrea’s Foreign Ministry advisor, Abdulkadir Idris, did not mince words while addressing the BBC Somali regarding the matter. He was critical of the hastily stitched-together agreement, perceiving it as a danger to Somalia’s autonomy and a severe destabilizer for the area.
“The agreement is hasty and poorly conceived,” Idris stated bluntly, conveying his dissatisfaction with Somalia’s quick endorsement of the deal. His concerns extended to warning about the possible deterioration of existing alliances and the storm of diplomatic skirmishes it might provoke.
With all eyes on this emerging situation, one can’t help but wonder how these political dynamics will evolve. Will the Tripartite Alliance’s disapproval ignite larger regional disputes? Could the intended maritime negotiations bridge or widen the chasm between involved parties? For now, the global community remains in observation mode, watching closely without a crystal ball insight into future developments.
This kerfuffle tells us that geopolitical maneuvers in this neck of the woods remain as complex as they are fragile. The delicate dance of diplomacy and sovereignty continues unabated—a high-stakes chess game with ripple effects that extend well beyond the Red Sea shores.
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
