Somaliland says it supports negotiated agreements granting Ethiopia access to the sea, as tensions continue over the 2024 Ethiopia-Somaliland maritime deal.
HARGEISA, Somalia (Somali Report)— Somaliland said it has consistently supported negotiated agreements allowing landlocked Ethiopia to secure access to the sea, arguing that such cooperation could promote shared interests and regional development.
In a statement issued on Oct. 3, Somaliland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said it supported arrangements that would give Ethiopia maritime access through agreements based on mutual benefit.
“The Government of Somaliland has consistently supported negotiated arrangements enabling the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to secure access to the sea through mutually beneficial cooperation,” the ministry said.
The statement came after Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said Somalia did not object to Ethiopia obtaining access to the sea, provided it was achieved through an agreement allowing Addis Ababa to use Somali ports for commercial purposes.
Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but remains internationally unrecognized, said Mogadishu’s opposition to the 2024 agreement between Somaliland and Ethiopia contradicted its stated support for Ethiopia’s maritime access.
The ministry accused the Somali government of interfering in agreements Somaliland reaches with other parties and said it would continue pursuing arrangements that respect what it described as its sovereignty while promoting regional prosperity.
The dispute centers on a memorandum of understanding signed by Ethiopia and Somaliland in January 2024. The deal focused on Ethiopia securing access to the sea through Somaliland, according to accounts of the agreement. Somalia strongly objected to the memorandum, saying it violated the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The agreement triggered a serious diplomatic crisis between Mogadishu and Addis Ababa. Somalia recalled its ambassador to Ethiopia and condemned the deal, while Ethiopia defended its interest in securing reliable access to the sea.
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Tensions between the two countries later eased after they agreed to pursue a diplomatic framework for resolving their differences.
Hassan, speaking in an interview with Al Jazeera, said Somalia was prepared to allow Ethiopia to use Somali ports for imports and exports. He said any such arrangement would have to be negotiated between the two countries and comply with accepted international standards.
Ethiopia has been landlocked since Eritrea became independent in 1993 and has relied heavily on neighboring Djibouti for its international trade. Access to alternative ports has remained a strategic priority for Addis Ababa as it seeks to reduce its dependence on a single maritime corridor.
Somaliland’s statement appeared aimed at distinguishing its position from Mogadishu’s objections to the 2024 memorandum while emphasizing its willingness to facilitate Ethiopian maritime access.
The ministry said Somaliland opposed outside interference in its agreements and would continue to pursue what it described as partnerships based on mutual benefit and respect for sovereignty.
The issue remains sensitive across the Horn of Africa, where competition over maritime access, ports and influence along the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden has become increasingly important to regional security and trade.
Somaliland said its position on Ethiopia’s access to the sea remained unchanged, while Somalia has said it is open to commercial maritime arrangements with Ethiopia through agreements negotiated under Somali sovereignty.
About the Author
Ahmed Omar is a senior journalist for Somali Report, based in Mogadishu. He has two decades of experience reporting on Somalia for international and local media. He covers politics, security, governance, business, trade, economic developments and regional affairs.
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