Ethiopia silent on Djibouti's proposal for easing tensions with Somalia

NAIROBI, Kenya - Over a month later, Ethiopia has remained mum on the proposal by Djibouti geared towards easing tensions between Addis Abeba and Mogadishu, a move that had garnered support from a host of international community members.

Last month, Mohamoud Ali Youssouf, Djibouti's Foreign Affairs minister, said his country was ready to solve the disposal between Ethiopia and Somalia on the access to sea, noting that it would donate a port that would be jointly managed by Djibouti and Ethiopia.

In an interview with Voice of America, Youssouf said Djibouti is still waiting for a notification from Ethiopia on the offer, adding that the country's proposal on Tojarah port in northern Djibouti remains.

Djibouti proposed the port as an alternative sea access for Ethiopia, which is landlocked and reliant on neighbouring countries for trade routes. Ethiopia is fighting for access to the sea through Somalia and has already signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Somaliland, a breakaway region of Somalia.

"The proposal remains on the table. We aim to reduce tensions between Ethiopia and Somalia by offering a northern port to Ethiopia for commercial use," Youssouf said. He added that, if accepted, the agreement could lead to joint ventures that boost both nations' economies.

Somalia maintains it will not allow any military presence in its land, but was willing to have a commercial deal with Ethiopia over the same. However, Ethiopia has since agreed to recognise Somaliland as a sovereign state in exchange for access to 20 kilometres of the Red Sea.

"If Ethiopia wants commercial access, we are open to that. But there will be no naval base," Mohamud emphasized.

There have been deliberate attempts to mediate the matter between Ethiopia and Somalia, but Turkey's moves are yet to bear fruits. Turkey was set to meet the two countries last month, but the decision was cancelled after Somalia insisted that Ethiopia ought to withdraw the agreement before any negotiations.

GAROWE ONLINE