Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud announced that his government is fully prepared to allow landlocked Ethiopia to access the sea through Somali territory. Speaking during an interview with Al Jazeera while visiting Egypt for regional discussions, Mohamud stated that Mogadishu has no fundamental objections to its neighbor utilizing Somali ports for international imports and exports, provided that standard international frameworks and direct bilateral negotiations govern the process.
This public statement marks a notable milestone in mending relations between the two Horn of Africa nations. Diplomatic friction had spiked dramatically in January 2024, when Ethiopia entered into a memorandum of understanding with Somaliland—a self-declared breakaway region that the federal government in Mogadishu views as part of its sovereign territory. Somalia strongly rejected that pact, asserting that any agreements involving its coastline must secure explicit federal approval.
Tensions eventually began to ease following Turkish-mediated diplomatic efforts. These talks culminated in the December 2024 Ankara Declaration, wherein Ethiopia and Somalia formally reaffirmed their commitment to mutual territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence. Furthermore, both nations recognized the potential economic value of establishing reliable maritime routes for Ethiopia through mutually beneficial commercial mechanisms such as leases and contracts.
President Mohamud’s recent remarks align tightly with the parameters of the Ankara framework. Clarifying the limits of the proposal, he emphasized that the arrangement is strictly commercial and does not grant Ethiopia ownership or sovereign control over any portion of Somalia’s coastline. Instead, it opens up pathways for Ethiopia to utilize select ports under a legal structure managed by Mogadishu.
Addressing the broader geopolitical landscape, Mohamud highlighted the critical economic and security importance of the Red Sea corridor. He underscored that regional disputes must be addressed through collaborative dialogue and established agreements rather than violence or sovereignty violations, noting that he does not anticipate a full-scale regional war.
The remarks carry heightened significance given the timing, coinciding with high-level regional summits in Egypt involving leaders from across the Horn of Africa. Moving forward, substantive implementation will depend heavily on subsequent technical negotiations to determine precise commercial terms, operational frameworks, and the specific ports designated for Ethiopian trade.
