The Ethiopian–Somali conflict is a territorial and political dispute between Ethiopia, Somalia, and Insurgents,
Originating in the 1300’s, the conflicts most recent iteration began in the late 1940s, when the Somali-
inhabited Ogaden region was handed back to Ethiopia by the British. In the years following, tensions culminated
in numerous insurgencies and several wars. However, because of the Somali Civil War and the lack of a functioning
central government since the collapse of the Democratic Republic of Somalia in 1991, Ethiopia has the upper hand
militarily and economically to control the Ogaden region. In 2021, over 100 people were killed due to Border
clashes between Ethiopia’s Afar and Somali regions.
The agreement signed on Monday by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Somaliland’s leader, Muse Bihi
Abdi, will see Somaliland “lease 20 kilometers of the Red Sea to Ethiopia” for the next 50 years and also enable
Addis Ababa to establish a military base there.
Redwan Hussien, Ethiopia’s National Security Advisor to PM Abiy said the deal paves the way for Ethiopia to secure
access to the sea and diversify its seaports hence ushering in a new era of enhanced maritime trade and strategic
security.
The agreement allows land-locked Ethiopia to use Berbera Port, the main port in Somaliland to access a narrow
strip of water between Africa and the Arabian Peninsula that leads in the north to the Suez Canal and access to
Europe. Ethiopia has been land locked since 1993 after Eritrea gained independence following a three-decade war.
However, Somalia has lashed out at a port deal signed by Ethiopia with the breakaway Somaliland following an
emergency meeting on Tuesday; the Somali cabinet said the agreement allowing Ethiopia to use the Red Sea port
of Berbera is null and void. Mogadishu also said it was recalling its ambassador to Ethiopia for deliberations,
claiming that the deal endangers the region’s stability. Landlocked since 1991, Ethiopia has relied on neighboring
Djibouti for its help in enabling most of its maritime trade. But tension has been simmering around the Horn of
Africa as Addis Ababa has pushed for improved access to a seaport. Mogadishu on Monday withdrew its envoy
from Addis Ababa and suspended diplomatic cooperation with Ethiopia and has vowed to protect its sovereignty.
