maritime

An Ambitious Vision: Ethiopia Navigates New Waters Mogadishu (AX) — Ethiopia is embarking on an ambitious voyage to bolster its trade capabilities, ushering in a new era of economic strengthening and maritime aspirations. On a crisp Monday, Ethiopian Shipping and Logistics Services Enterprise (ESL) unveiled a transformative plan that has captivated the attention of many: Ethiopia has ordered six state-of-the-art commercial ships. Two of these vessels, embracing the grandeur of Ultramax dry bulk…

Ethiopia's Determination for Sea Access Amid Complex Diplomatic Dynamics Edited By Ali Musa, Axadle Times international–Monitoring ADDIS ABABA - In the ever-evolving geopolitical landscape of the Horn of Africa, Ethiopia stands firm in its ambition to secure access to the sea. Field Marshal Birhanu Jula, the head of Ethiopian National Defense Forces, recently vocalized this aspiration, highlighting its significance at the celebration of the 129th anniversary of the…

Ethiopia Strengthens Ties with Somalia to Secure Sea Access MOGADISHU, Somalia - Picture this: a landlocked nation striving tirelessly to gain a foothold on the coastal frontiers of its neighbor. Such is the vision that Ethiopia is vigorously pursuing, fostering deep and layered relationships with Somalia. As Nebiat Getachew, a representative from Ethiopia's foreign affairs ministry, recently articulated, accessing the sea is more than just a strategic ambition; it is a matter of existential importance for Ethiopia.…

A Historic Diplomatic Encounter: Bridging Gaps and Building Trust Mogadishu (AX) — On a windswept Thursday morning, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed is expected to grace the Somali capital’s horizon, setting the stage for an essential dialogue with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. These meetings, vivid with political undertones and strategic dynamics, capture a pivotal moment in the intricate relationship between these two Horn of Africa neighbors. Their journey, marked by maritime disputes and military…

In an unexpected turn, Ethiopia and Somalia managed to mend their diplomatic rift this January by signing an agreement that grants Addis Ababa access to port facilities in Somalia. But Ethiopia isn't the only player on the field. Last year, Mogadishu struck a deal with Turkey, where Ankara agreed to fortify Somalia's maritime security via a mix of capacity building, training, and collaborative patrols. The fruits of these agreements could be bountiful, potentially presenting economic and investment avenues while uplifting…

How often does a handshake capture the world's attention? When Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed met eye-to-eye, during the 38th African Union Summit in bustling Addis Ababa, their handshake was much more than a diplomatic formality. It was laden with the weighty hopes of peace and collaborative future—a substantial step forward since the historical signing of the Ankara Declaration. But let's not put the cart before the horse: what led to this compelling moment and what does it…

MOGADISHU, Somalia – Imagine the unforgiving depths of the ocean, where shadows of ships have danced for centuries. On a tranquil Monday, a slice of maritime turmoil reared its head off the Horn of Africa. Somali pirates, long-silent ghosts of the sea, have reportedly captured a Yemeni fishing vessel. As the sun dipped below the horizon, authorities confirmed the maritime upheaval with a shiver of uncertainty. EUNAVFOR Atalanta, representing a European naval initiative in these turbulent waters, assured that…

Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have taken a decisive step to impose targeted sanctions on what’s often referred to as Russia’s shadow fleet of oil tankers. This fleet has enabled Moscow to continue exporting significant volumes of crude oil and petroleum products, effectively sidestepping the sanctions imposed by the EU, G7, and various international bodies. A growing chorus of concern has emerged regarding these aging, uninsured tankers, with fears that they could trigger ecological disasters, particularly…

In a bustling week peppered with captivating headlines, a noteworthy claim has emerged regarding the Yemeni Houthis and their purported financial activities involving the Red Sea. Maritime lawyer Stephen Askins from Tatham & Co is casting a critical eye over these claims, raising a skeptical eyebrow at the notion that the Houthis are banking $180 million a month from maritime companies seeking safe passage through these waters.Mogadishu (AX) — The swirling rumors suggest that hefty payments are navigated through an…

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud recently voiced stern disapproval of Ethiopia’s actions, accusing it of double-dealing by hosting the African Union (AU) quarters while allegedly flouting its tenets in its engagements with North Western State of Somalia. As he stood before Somalia’s parliament on Saturday, Mohamud spotlighted a hotly debated Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) penned by Ethiopia with North Western State of Somalia, a matter that’s been whipping up quite the storm far and wide.…