Ethiopian Government Presents Sea Access MoU with Somaliland to Parliament

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - The Minister of Transport and Logistics, Alemu Sime, today presented to the Ethiopian Parliament a controversial MoU that grants Ethiopia access to a sea route through Somaliland.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed on January 1, is set to revolutionize Ethiopia's logistics performance and foster new cooperation, according to Sime.

Speaking to the members of Parliament, Sime emphasized the profound impact of the agreement on Ethiopia's long-standing desire to secure a sea route. "This will bring about a fundamental change in logistics performance and new cooperation," he said.

The announcement comes just days after the Institute of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia hosted the 2nd Red Sea Dialogue in Addis Ababa, focusing on the imperative for regional cooperation in the Red Sea. During the event, the chief executive of the Ethiopian Foreign Affairs Institute, Jafar Bedru, underscored Ethiopia's historical ties to the Red Sea and the nation's unwavering resolve to assert its presence in the region.

"Ethiopia and the Red Sea have historical ties. Ethiopia has always been in a historical struggle on the Red Sea, and it is a matter that depends on its existence," Bedru told the media. He accused neighboring countries of conspiring to exclude Ethiopia from Red Sea discussions but affirmed Ethiopia's determination to overcome such challenges.

"Our neighboring countries are determined to remove our ambitions from the Red Sea," Bedru stated. Despite these allegations, Ethiopia remains committed to implementing the agreement with Somaliland, aiming to secure a portion of the Red Sea for its economic and strategic interests.

The presentation of the agreement to the Parliament marks a pivotal step towards realizing Ethiopia's maritime aspirations and underscores the nation's commitment to enhancing its connectivity and economic prospects.

The memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Ethiopia and Somaliland, which was signed on January 1, 2024, has led to increased tensions between Ethiopia and Somalia.

The MoU grants Ethiopia access to a sea route through Somaliland, potentially undermining Somalia's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and has been met with opposition from the Somali government.

GAROWE ONLINE