Bihi: Somaliland Sea Access MoU with Ethiopia stands, nothing has changed

Photograph: Panos Pictures/Petterik Wiggers

HARGEISA, Somalia - Somaliland leader Muse Bihi Abdi tells the BBC Somali Service that the breakaway region's January 2024 MoU with Ethiopia over ceding 20 kilometres of access to the Red Sea stands, but notes the immense international pressure and tensions that have eclipsed the move.

While maintaining that Somaliland will not quit, Bihi said, “Nothing has changed; it remains as it was.” Bihi, who leads the self-declared independent state, continued, “Everyone is waiting for when the operational document will be finalized.”

In his view, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is to blame for the tensions, arguing that he has acted as a catalyst by targeting Ethiopia with a diplomatic offensive, including making shuttle diplomatic trips to downplay Ethiopia.

“Hassan Sheikh has launched a campaign against Ethiopia.” He emphasized that the deal was struck between Somaliland and Ethiopia, not with Somalia’s federal government.

“We have been two separate independent countries, two governments, for 34 years. Everyone knows this,” Bihi said, reiterating Somaliland’s claim to sovereignty.

Bihi pointed to escalating regional tensions following the agreement, claiming “a war was planned” and that Egypt’s involvement has complicated matters. He specifically referenced the recent military cooperation agreement between Somalia and Egypt, characterizing it as an attempt to “suppress the Somaliland people’s desire for independence.”

In return for ceding 20 kilometres of the Red Sea for the construction of a military base and port, Ethiopia shall recognise Somaliland as a sovereign state. The move has irked Somalia, which still controls the territory, despite claiming cessation.

Somalia has gone ahead to banish top Ethiopian officials from the country and has strictly maintained that Ethiopia will not be a party to the upcoming mission dubbed the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia due to infringement of its territorial integrity and sovereignty.

In September, Somaliland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Essa Kayd, informed international diplomatic missions in Hargeisa that the MoU between Somaliland and Ethiopia “is finalized, and a formal legal agreement is imminent.” However, Ethiopia has largely remained quiet about any practical progress on the MoU.

On the timeline, Bihi said the delay is occasioned by standard diplomatic processes which have to be in place for international agreements to be implemented. Bihi dismissed Somalia’s criticism of the Ethiopia agreement, pointing to existing Ethiopian-Somali ties.

“There are many Somalis in Ethiopia, and they even hold positions within the government. So why is Somalia accusing us of signing an agreement with Ethiopia?” he said.

Bihi, who is seeking re-election in November, said Egypt is positioning itself in the Horn of Africa by taking advantage of the agreement between Somaliland and Ethiopia. Egypt has vowed to assist Somalia protect its borders besides agreeing to take charge of the upcoming AU mission.

“It’s not right for them to drag Somalia into this regional conflict, considering they have their problems,” Bihi stated, suggesting that Egypt’s military agreement with Somalia extends beyond the Nile dispute to target Somaliland directly.

“The idea is to use Egypt by signing a security agreement with them and then using them against Somaliland,” Bihi claimed, adding that “Egypt has its problems and won’t benefit from this situation.”

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has insisted that the agreement is null and void and pledged to remain firm and committed to protecting the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Egypt has already deployed elite forces to protect critical supply routes in Somalia.

GAROWE ONLINE