Egypt’s leader, Abdel Fatah al-Sisi, has shown his backing for Somalia in a disagreement involving Somaliland’s proposal to grant Ethiopia access to its coastline in return for recognition of its autonomy.
At a press conference in Cairo with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Sisi made his most forceful statement yet on the matter, declaring that attempting to annex land for the purpose of control is unacceptable to all parties involved.
The speaker stated that their nation is prepared to offer assistance “in the event of an attack on any Arab country, particularly when our brothers request our support”, sparking worries that Cairo could potentially be drawn into a growing conflict between Mogadishu and Addis Ababa.
The relationship between Somalia and Ethiopia has worsened since the beginning of January, when Somaliland and Ethiopia agreed on a memorandum that did not involve the Somali government. The Somali government has not had control over the self-proclaimed republic since 1991.
Authorities from Somaliland have stated that the potential deal would entail Ethiopia obtaining a naval base on its Gulf of Aden coast in return for complete recognition. Ethiopia has not publicly addressed this part of the agreement due to increasing global pressure, although some officials have indicated their approval of Somaliland’s autonomy.
During an interview with the Observer, Somaliland’s foreign minister, Essa Kayd, stated that without recognition as an independent state, there will be no progress. Kayd also noted that Ethiopia requires access to the sea and Somaliland needs recognition, creating a potential solution for both parties.
In 1993, Ethiopia became a landlocked country after Eritrea, a troubled region in the north, declared independence. As a result, the country now heavily relies on Djibouti, its neighboring country, for all of its international trade.
Since the announcement of the deal between Ethiopia and Somaliland on New Year’s Day, Somalia has enlisted the help of its global allies. Egypt, whose relationship with Ethiopia has soured due to the construction of a dam on the Blue Nile, has been outspoken in its disapproval of the agreement.
On Wednesday, Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry stated that Ethiopia is causing instability in the region and urged them to honor Somalia’s territorial boundaries.
The Somali government has declined the suggestion for intervention in their dispute with Ethiopia regarding the agreement, unless Addis Ababa abandons the agreement and changes its stance on the memorandum. Somali officials have accused the memorandum of being an effort to take over their territory.
At a meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement, a group of 120 countries, the President of Somalia brought up the topic, stating that the agreement between Somaliland and Ethiopia would give Ethiopia the ability to take control of a strip of land in order to create a naval base on Somalia’s coast. He referred to the agreement as a direct infringement on Somalia’s independence.
Leaders from various countries in the area convened in Uganda on Thursday for a conference organized by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, a regional organization in East Africa, to address the consequences of the memorandum.
The Ethiopian prime minister, Abiy Ahmed, was not physically present, but the regional organization, where Ethiopia holds considerable sway, released a carefully worded statement urging all members to uphold each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
On Wednesday, the US national security spokesperson, John Kirby, expressed concern that further tension between Somalia and Ethiopia, which Somalia has threatened might lead to war, could undermine broader efforts in the fight against al-Shabaab, an Islamist insurgency group in Somalia.
Source: theguardian.com
