Somalia Rejects Ethiopia's Naval Base Plan in Somaliland, Open to Port Access Talks

Somalia has rejected Ethiopia's plan to build a naval base in the breakaway region of Somaliland, but expressed openness to bilateral talks on commercial port access if Ethiopia annuls its deal with Somaliland. The proposed naval base and Ethiopia's agreement with Somaliland have sparked a diplomatic row, as Somalia considers Somaliland part of its sovereign territory.

In a statement, Somalia's state minister for foreign affairs said, "The Federal Government of Somalia will never accept the establishment of a naval base in Somaliland, but we are open to discussions on proposals for commercial port access as long as they meet Somalia's interests in safeguarding its sovereignty, political independence, and unity." Ethiopia has not yet commented on Somalia's stance.

The League of Arab States and the Arab Parliament have voiced support for the Somali government, condemning the Ethiopia-Somaliland deal as a violation of Somalia's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Somalia has vowed to defend its territory by legal means and has recalled its ambassador to Ethiopia in response to the dispute.

Why this matters: The tensions between Somalia and Somaliland, as well as the regional implications of Ethiopia's deal with Somaliland, highlight the complex geopolitical dynamics in the Horn of Africa. The dispute has raised concerns about regional stability, with calls for Somalia's sovereignty to be respected.

Somalia has taken further diplomatic action by ordering the expulsion of the Ethiopian ambassador and recalling its own envoy to Addis Ababa, accusing Ethiopia of interfering in its internal affairs. The two countries have a history of strained relations and territorial disputes. Puntland, a semi-autonomous state in Somalia, has also announced that it will no longer recognize federal institutions over changes to the constitution.

As a landlocked country, Ethiopia has been seeking an outlet to the sea since Eritrea's independence in 1993. Kenya, in consultation with Djibouti and the Eastern African Bloc, has proposed a maritime treaty to govern how landlocked states in the region can access ports on commercial terms, offering a potential avenue for resolving the current dispute.

Key Takeaways

• Somalia rejects Ethiopia's plan to build naval base in Somaliland.
• Somalia open to talks on commercial port access if Ethiopia annuls Somaliland deal.
• Arab states condemn Ethiopia-Somaliland deal as violation of Somalia's sovereignty.
• Somalia expels Ethiopian ambassador, recalls its own envoy to Addis Ababa.
• Kenya proposes maritime treaty to govern landlocked states' port access.