Nairobi, Kenya: Tensions flared Thursday as Somali parliamentarians in Kenya, along with prominent Somali leaders, vehemently condemned the recent port deal struck between Ethiopia and the breakaway region of Somaliland. The agreement, signed by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi, granting Ethiopia access to the Red Sea through Somaliland's Berbera port, was deemed a brazen affront to Somalia's territorial integrity.
Dr. Aden Keynan, a Somali lawmaker, described the deal as a blatant violation of Somalia's sovereignty. He, along with other concerned voices, urged the international community to act swiftly if Ethiopia refuses to retract the agreement. Calls for intervention were directed towards the United Nations, the African Union, and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).
The agreement further ignited anxieties across the region, considering the historical animosity between Somalia and Ethiopia. One Kenyan MP warned against reigniting past conflicts, stating, "Abiy Ahmed, the young lad, acts without considering the consequences. He has broken the law by dealing with a regional government. Why create problems again after Somalia and Ethiopia have fought before?"
Somali parliamentarians also pledged to address the issue with high-ranking Kenyan officials, including President William Ruto. The deal has strained relations between Somalia and Ethiopia, with Mogadishu accusing Addis Ababa of disregarding its sovereignty. This sentiment found further validation when Josep Borrell, the EU's Foreign Policy Chief, reaffirmed the European Union's unwavering support for Somalia's territorial integrity in a phone call with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.
The port deal and its ramifications cast a shadow over regional stability, raising concerns about potential escalation and diplomatic fallout. With international allies like the EU expressing support for Somalia, it remains to be seen how this complex situation will unfold and whether Ethiopia will succumb to international pressure to reconsider the agreement.
Members of #Kenyan Parliament unequivocally state that the #Ethiopian Government’s action to enter into an agreement and effectively establish direct international relations with a region of #Somalia is in breach of the territorial integrity and abuse of the political… pic.twitter.com/HW637lbHdE
— SNTV News (@sntvnews1) January 4, 2024
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