Ethiopia: We are not after anyone's land, we are just leasing

ADDIS ABABA - Ethiopia has stubbornly maintained that it is not interested in grabbing anyone's land, just as pressure continues to pile on Addis Ababa, following a controversial deal on the acquisition of parts of the Red Sea between PM Abiy Ahmed and Somaliland leader Muse Bihi Abdi.

For two weeks, Somalia and other international partners have accused Ethiopia of plotting to 'hive' part of Somalia and establish an army base, with also the possibility of a port. Somalia has vowed to defend its territorial integrity and sovereignty.

Redwan Hussien, the National Security Advisor to PM Abiy Ahmed, however, says Ethiopia is not interested in grabbing Somalia’s land, adding that the country is only keen on leasing it for strategic and commercial purposes.

“We are not taking away anybody’s land. We are just leasing land like everybody in Somaliland, not only us. But some countries have already bases, and there are others which are lining up to get access in Somaliland,” Redwan said.

He added: "Ethiopia cannot survive unless we have some access to this base. It is for our survival one, and for us to be able to contribute positively to the peace and security of the region. We cannot just ignore this."

The envoy noted further that Ethiopia’s quest to access the sea was not a matter of “luxury but of survival”. He was briefing military attaches and members of the international community. The deal once implemented, will see Ethiopia getting 20 kilometers of Red Sea for 50 years in exchange for Somaliland's recognition.

The Memorandum of Understanding l that Ethiopia signed with #lSomaliland, he added, therefore aimed at responding to Ethiopia’s growing economy and population size and not meant to harm anyone.

Ambassador Redwan pushed back against at what he said was the “dissemination of misleading information” concerning the real intentions of the MoU and explained in detail the aspects of the MoU to the foreign officials who attended the briefing.

GAROWE ONLINE