Somaliland and Ethiopia signs "Historic" MoU on access to Red Sea and Establishment of Naval Base

[Xaaji Xunjuf]

Kenya proposes maritime treaty to ease Ethiopia-Somalia tensions

 

Published: 11 April ,2024: 09:00 PM GSTUpdated: 11 April ,2024: 10:05 PM GST

 

Kenya has proposed a regional maritime treaty to defuse tensions between Ethiopia and Somalia over a deal allowing Ethiopia to set up a naval base and giving it port access in Somalia’s breakaway region of Somaliland, a top Kenyan official said on Thursday.

Landlocked Ethiopia agreed on Jan. 1 to lease 20 km (12 miles) of coastline in Somaliland, a part of Somalia which claims independence and has had effective autonomy since 1991, offering possible recognition of Somaliland in exchange.

That prompted a defiant response from Somalia and fueled concern the deal could further destabilize the Horn of Africa region.

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The treaty Kenya is proposing in consultation with Djibouti and regional bloc IGAD would govern how landlocked states in the region can access ports on commercial terms, Korir Sing’oei, Kenya’s principal secretary for foreign affairs, told Reuters.

“IGAD can be able to formulate a treaty for sharing maritime resources,” he said, referring to the bloc which brings together countries in the region.

On Thursday Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud held a meeting with his Kenyan counterpart William Ruto in the Kenyan capital as part of efforts to find a diplomatic solution to the dispute.

“We continue to engage with all the parties with a view to ensuring that at the end of the day the region is left all stable,” Sing’oei said.

If accepted, Nairobi’s solution would offer Ethiopia “stable and predictable access to maritime resources” so it can carry out its business unhindered, while also respecting Somalia’s territorial integrity, he added.

Somalia and Ethiopia are considering the proposal, he said, and their leaders have been asked to consider meeting to take the process forward.

Sing’oei said time was of the essence since al-Shabaab militants in Somalia were using the dispute to portray the government in Mogadishu as being unable to protect Somalia’s sovereignty.

[Xaaji Xunjuf]

So will hassan sheikh accept it is the question will he blink and how significant is this  Well the elephant in the room isnt adressed Ethiopia wants a naval base no mention of that yet by the Kenyans and Reer Bunker. And if he caves what does that mean why was he jumping up and down and all those weeks he didnt take a shower.

[Xaaji Xunjuf]

 

[Arafaat]

38 minutes ago, Xaaji Xunjuf said:

So will hassan sheikh accept it is the question will he blink and how significant is this  Well the elephant in the room isnt adressed Ethiopia wants a naval base no mention of that yet by the Kenyans and Reer Bunker. And if he caves what does that mean why was he jumping up and down and all those weeks he didnt take a shower.

Perhaps a base under an international AU/IGAD mandate and flag, with Ethiopia being the majority troop contributing state. Something similar to the ATMIS arrangement used for Ethiopia’s and Kenya’s presence in Somalia? 

Surely that could be an acceptable compromise for both sides, but what would Somaliland gain from this? Commitment from AU/IGAD to mediate issue of between Somaliland and Somalia? 

[Xaaji Xunjuf]

Not sure yet what is in for Somaliland but for hassan for him to safe face  he needs to secure what is left of Somalia so in order to make sure his constitutional reform takes place he needs to concede on Somaliland and  have good ties with the Ethiopians he can’t have beef with both Somaliland and puntland and Ethiopia all at the same time 

[Che -Guevara]

G7 Foreign Ministers Meeting

Statement on MoU

 

3. Horn of Africa

We reaffirm our strong commitment to promoting peace, security, and stability in the Horn of Africa. We continue to provide humanitarian support to those most affected by food insecurity, widespread poverty, armed violence, the impact of extreme weather events and displacement.

We express our concern regarding the Memorandum of Understanding between Ethiopia and the Somaliland region of Somalia announced in January 2024. We encourage both the Ethiopian and the Federal Government of Somalia to keep all channels of dialogue open to prevent further escalation, working with regional partners, in the framework of the African Union and through bilateral contacts, in accordance with international law and the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity as enshrined in the UN Charter.

 

Source: G7 Italy 2024

 

[Che -Guevara]

Somali Response 

 

[Xaaji Xunjuf]

Mudane Matt Bryden on   Rthiopian national TV on the MOU 

 

[Illyria]

This is broadcast on Ethiopia's national TV. It redraws the map of Somali territories with an intent of separating Central SL (Isaq territories) from the rest excl. SSC-Khatumo, but incl. Awdal. An age old strategy of expansion, division, conquering, and subjugation coming together.

[Che -Guevara]

I like their ambition, but this around, this is more fantasy. PP and their proxies can barely travel out Addis Ababa and regional capitals.

[Xaaji Xunjuf]

Seems Ethiopia isnt backing down

[Xaaji Xunjuf]

4 hours ago, Illyria said:

This is broadcast on Ethiopia's national TV. It redraws the map of Somali territories with an intent of separating Central SL (Isaq territories) from the rest excl. SSC-Khatumo, but incl. Awdal. An age old strategy of expansion, division, conquering, and subjugation coming together.

its just trying to appease the garowe people also and maybe some of their D block constituncies in galbeed, Itoobiyanku wa inay kala barteen waxanu jcelanahy waxanu diidanahay  iyo qaabka la ino kale xado