Redwan Hussien defends sea access deal between Ethiopia and Somaliland

ADDIS ABABA - Redwan Hussien, the National Security Advisor to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, says many countries knew the deal between Ethiopia and Somaliland but kept mum until the agreement was formally signed on Monday, leading to outrage.

Ethiopia successfully negotiated with Somaliland, the breakaway region of Somalia, securing 20 kilometers of Red Sea, which would give the country's Naval forces access for training besides enabling the country to have its port for imports and exports.

In exchange, sources say, Ethiopia will be the first country to recognize Somaliland as a sovereign country, despite being part of the larger Somalia. The decision has triggered condemnation from several countries, including the US and UK.

According to Hussein, most of the countries opposing the deal were aware of it but chose to keep silent before it was signed. “what happened is not what didn’t expect," he said in an interview with the state media.

“Why was it that there was an effort to ensure Ethiopia does not have access to the sea?” he narrated how Ethiopia became landlocked, citing historical reasons, which saw Eritrea get independence.

But he also said that there are actors who opposed the deal with Somaliland out of fear that it would trigger a regional conflict in an already troubled region. And then he sees a different category of opposition that is based on “going with the flow of international condemnation.”

For many years, he said, Ethiopia has been finding a way of accessing the sea, including getting in talks with Sudan over the Port of Sudan and Kenya on the possible use of Lamu Port. However, he added, the distance made it almost impossible due to logistical challenges.

According to him, conversations are continuing with other countries that offer alternatives to port, and Ethiopia is still open to conversation with other countries as well. He framed the conversation with Somaliland not as an exception.

Djibouti Port, Hussein noted, has been risky due to internal conflicts in northern parts of the country, especially in Tigray and Amhara regions. Somaliland, he added, is one of the most important routes which if exploited, would help the country stabilize.

“It is no longer a question of national interest for Ethiopia. It has become a matter of existence,” he asserted.

“When the agreement is completed, Ethiopia receives the land and the process is finalized,” said Redwan, “Ethiopia will take a stand to consider taking a stand in recognizing Somaliland as a sovereign country.”

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud maintained that Somalia will defend her territorial integrity and sovereignty, adding that the deal is "null and void ". Several countries have asked Ethiopia to change its mind and respect Somalia’s territory.

GAROWE ONLINE