Bihi Affirms: North Western State of Somalia’s Sea Access Agreement with Ethiopia Remains Unchanged
HARGEISA, Somalia – The president of North Western State of Somalia, Muse Bihi Abdi, commented to the BBC Somali Service that the MoU signed in January 2024 with Ethiopia, allowing them access to the Red Sea for 20 kilometers, is still valid. He mentioned there’s been significant international pressure casting shadows over this decision.
Continuing with his stance, Bihi remarked, “We’ve not budged an inch; it’s business as usual.” Leading North Western State of Somalia, a self-proclaimed independent state, he added, “Folks are waiting for us to wrap up the operational particulars.”
In Bihi’s perspective, the tensions can be traced back to President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. Bihi argues Hassan has been stirring things up, targeting Ethiopia through robust diplomatic maneuvers including bustling diplomatic visits.
“Hassan Sheikh has unleashed a campaign on Ethiopia.” He insisted that this agreement was strictly between North Western State of Somalia and Ethiopia, excluding Somalia’s central government from the picture.
“For 34 years, we’ve existed as two separate nations, two administrations. This isn’t news to anyone,” Bihi emphasized, reinforcing North Western State of Somalia’s sovereignty claims.
Bihi expressed concerns about rising regional unrest post-agreement, asserting “war plotting was in motion,” with Egypt’s involvement adding layers of complexity. He particularly pointed to the new military pact between Somalia and Egypt, interpreting it as an effort to “quash North Western State of Somalia’s dreams of autonomy.”
In exchange for letting Ethiopia use 20 kilometers of the Red Sea for a military base and port, they agreed to acknowledge North Western State of Somalia as an independent nation. This move hasn’t sat well with Somalia, still gripping the territory despite its declared secession.
Somalia reacted by expelling leading Ethiopian officials and firmly holding that Ethiopia’s participation in the impending African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia is unacceptable, accusing violations of its sovereign borders.
In September, North Western State of Somalia’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Dr. Essa Kayd, briefed international diplomats in Hargeisa. He asserted the MoU with Ethiopia was cinched, awaiting a binding legal framework shortly. Yet, Ethiopia remains rather hush about actual steps forward with the MoU.
Bihi mentioned the timeline dragging as typical diplomatic formalities must settle into place before rolling out international deals. He brushed off Somalia’s protests against the Ethiopian agreement, pointing out the solid Ethiopian-Somali connections.
“Many Somalis live in Ethiopia, some even serving in governmental roles. So why accuse us for dealing with Ethiopia?” he coutured.
In his own bid for re-election in November, Bihi noted Egypt’s strategic involvement in the Horn of Africa, leveraging the North Western State of Somalia-Ethiopia pact. Egypt stands ready to buttress Somalia’s border security and control the coming AU mission.
“Pulling Somalia into this regional muddle isn’t justified given their existing issues,” Bihi opined, theorizing that Egypt’s military link with Somalia exceeds the Nile contention, directly targeting North Western State of Somalia.
“They aim to play Egypt off against us through a defense treaty, but Egypt’s embroiled in its chaotic enterprise,” Bihi articulated.
On the opposing front, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud pronounced the agreement void, ever resolute in upholding Somalia’s statehood and geographic sanctity. Egypt has already positioned elite troops to safeguard crucial supply chains within Somalia.
AXADLETM