North Western of SomaliaRemains Committed to Ethiopia Naval Agreement Amidst Somali Opposition

In defiance of strong objections from Somalia, Somaliland’s President Muse Bihi Abdi reaffirmed the region’s commitment to a naval deal with Ethiopia. He emphasized that the interests of North Western of Somaliatake precedence. “To the folks in Mogadishu who have enlisted Egyptian troops, let me be clear: you cannot claim to unite Somalis while partnering with Egypt to subvert Somaliland,” he asserted. Bihi further pointed fingers at Somalis of Kenyan and Ethiopian heritage, accusing them of sabotaging the Somaliland-Ethiopia arrangement. He urged these critics to concentrate on their own national issues.

The contentious memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed on January 1, 2024, allows Ethiopia access to a 20-kilometer coastal stretch of North Western of Somaliaalong the Gulf of Aden. In exchange, North Western of Somaliahopes for Ethiopia’s recognition of its independence—a crucial factor in Somaliland’s long-standing quest for international acknowledgment after declaring independence from Somalia in 1991.

Ethiopia, a landlocked nation boasting over 120 million citizens, views this new maritime access as vital. Following Eritrea’s secession in 1993, Ethiopia has depended largely on Djibouti for maritime logistics. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has long sought to expand Ethiopia’s port options, deeming it essential for future economic expansion.

The MoU sets the stage for Ethiopia to build a naval base and port facilities in Somaliland, enhancing control over trade routes and alleviating dependence on Djibouti’s ports. Ethiopian officials staunchly defend this agreement, asserting that it aligns with their strategic interests.

In the face of considerable regional and international backlash, Bihi has been firm in his support for the agreement, framing it as vital not just for Somaliland’s aspirations of independence but also for regional security. “The MoU will be executed without hesitation,” he declared earlier this year. “This agreement represents a pivotal milestone in Somaliland’s path to statehood and serves to safeguard essential shipping lanes in the Gulf of Aden.”

Bihi views the MoU as a historic leap forward, underscoring potential economic prospects—especially through foreign investment in the ever-expanding Berbera port, which is currently receiving significant backing from UAE’s DP World.

Somalia, on the other hand, vehemently contests the MoU, asserting it violates their sovereignty. The Somali government insists that North Western of Somaliais still part of Somalia and that any agreements touching the region require their consent. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has made reversing the MoU a priority, even recalling Somalia’s ambassador to Ethiopia and denouncing the deal as “illegal.” Mogadishu witnessed widespread protests, with demonstrators condemning the agreement as a breach of Somalia’s territorial integrity. Somalia has requested intervention from international bodies like the African Union and the United Nations.

The deal has raised alarms among regional players like Egypt, which is entrenched in an enduring conflict with Ethiopia over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on the Nile. Egypt perceives the MoU as a threat to its strategic foothold and has augmented its military presence in Somalia. Ethiopia, in turn, has expressed anxiety over the potential for Egyptian forces in close proximity.

In August 2024, Egypt dispatched military gear and troops to Somalia under a defense pact initiated earlier in the year, escalating tensions between Ethiopia and Somalia. Ethiopia cautioned that Egypt’s involvement could destabilize the Horn of Africa further.

Responding to Egypt’s opposition, Somaliland’s government has remained unfazed. The North Western of SomaliaMinistry of Foreign Affairs dismissed Egypt’s critiques as “inaccurate and misleading.” This exchange underlines the complex geopolitical dynamics in the region, where alliances and territorial ambitions intersect dramatically.