Somalis pour into streets, condemn Ethiopia after sea access deal

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Thousands of Somalis thronged into the streets of Mogadishu on Thursday, carrying banners condemning Ethiopia for an "attempt" to conquer the country's sea following a controversial agreement with the breakaway region of Somaliland.

Ethiopia signed an agreement with Somaliland which if effected, allows it to acquire 20 kilometers of the Red Sea in Somalia where it will set up a Naval Base and in return, recognise Somaliland. Addis Ababa has been fighting to have a share of the sea.

But spirited Somalis chanted anti-Ethiopia slogans for two days nonstop while asking the international community to chip in and solve the quagmire. "Death or victory," and "Somalia belongs to Somalis" were the slogan of the massive protest in Mogadishu, the capital.

They condemned Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed for "attempted encroachment" while insisting that the "sovereign and territorial integrity" of the country ought to be respected. Protesters maintained that "no inch" of Somalia will be rented to Ethiopia.

While the matter has triggered heated debate in Somalia, the international community hasn't been left behind. Already, the United States, UN, African Union, IGAD, Egypt, and Sudan have called out Ethiopia. In Kenya, legislators condemned Ethiopia's "illegal" actions.

Turkey, a key security and development partner of Somalia, vowed to stand with Mogadishu while terming the agreement "null and void". Turkish foreign mission released a statement on Thursday that coincided with the Arab League of Nations and the Islamic countries.

"We reaffirm our commitment to the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia. We emphasize that this position is also a requirement of the international law," Turkey said in a statement.

"Today, as in the past, we wish the settlement of disputes between Somalia and Somaliland through direct negotiations among Somalis and we reiterate our support for initiatives in this direction."

Ethiopia maintained that the agreement would not affect any country when implemented but Somalia has since recalled her envoy to Addis Ababa for "urgent consultations". The government of Somalia called for calmness as the matter is being handled.

GAROWE ONLINE