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Somalia: Grants Ethiopia Access to Red Sea for Commercial Port

Mogadishu, Somalia – In a significant development for regional trade and diplomacy, Somalia has announced that it will permit Ethiopia to access the Red Sea for the establishment of a commercial port, according to statements made by Somali Foreign Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi on December 24, 2024, during an interview in Egypt.

The agreement, which focuses strictly on commercial activities, marks a notable shift in the relations between the two neighboring countries, aiming to enhance economic cooperation. “The access Ethiopia will have to the Red Sea will be limited to a commercial port and will remain under the sovereignty of the Somali state,” Fiqi clarified, emphasizing the commercial nature of the arrangement.

This move comes after Ethiopia, which became landlocked following Eritrea’s independence in 1993, has been seeking alternative routes to the sea to bolster its trade capabilities. Previously, Ethiopia had signed a deal with Somaliland, a breakaway region of Somalia, but this new agreement with Somalia suggests a potential recalibration in Ethiopia’s maritime strategy.

The announcement has sparked discussions across social media and among political analysts, with some viewing it as a strategic pivot that could benefit both nations economically while others express concerns over potential sovereignty issues. Posts on X have indicated a mixed reception, with some users seeing it as a positive step for regional integration, while others question the long-term implications for Somalia’s territorial integrity.

The deal’s specifics, including the location of the port and detailed terms of operation, are yet to be fully disclosed. This agreement could potentially influence the geopolitical dynamics in the Horn of Africa, where access to maritime routes remains a pivotal point of contention and cooperation.

Further details are expected to emerge as negotiations progress, with both countries likely to engage in dialogue to finalize the modalities of this commercial port access.

HORN LIFE

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