https://en.sputniknews.africa/20241211/new-ethiopian-customs-points-in-berbera-stir-horn-of-africa-tensions-1069655198.html
New Ethiopian Customs Points in Berbera Stir Horn of Africa Tensions
New Ethiopian Customs Points in Berbera Stir Horn of Africa Tensions
Sputnik Africa
On January 1, Ethiopia and the unrecognized republic of Somaliland signed a memorandum allowing Addis Ababa access to the Red Sea. As a result, Somalia's... 11.12.2024, Sputnik Africa
2024-12-11T11:27+0100
2024-12-11T11:27+0100
2024-12-11T11:27+0100
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Ethiopian transit customs points were opened in the port of Berbera, Somaliland. These points will be responsible for transporting unloaded cargo to various destinations within Ethiopia, the Somaliland Ministry of Financial Development announced on Tuesday.This step is part of an initiative outlined in a memorandum of understanding from January between Ethiopia and the breakaway region of Somaliland. It has led to protests from Somalia, which considers Somaliland an integral part of its territory, and has heightened tensions across the Horn of Africa.Ethiopia has been grappling with the challenges of being landlocked since Eritrea’s independence three decades ago, relying heavily on Djibouti for maritime trade. This dependency has spurred Ethiopia’s ambition to secure direct sea access, a goal that Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed reiterated in November as critical to the country’s future. Somaliland, strategically positioned on the Gulf of Aden, has emerged as a potential solution.Ethiopia, however, has emphasized that its engagement with Somaliland does not threaten Somalia’s sovereignty. President Taye Atske Selassie reaffirmed in October the nation’s commitment to regional stability, economic integration, and anti-terrorism efforts. Nevertheless, tensions have risen as Egypt strengthens its alliance with Somalia, sending military aid to Mogadishu earlier this year. These developments have added complexity to an already delicate regional dynamic.While Abiy Ahmed clarified that Ethiopia has no intention of using military force to reclaim sea access, he warned that the issue could become a source of conflict if unresolved. To ease tensions, Djibouti, Ethiopia’s primary trade conduit, has offered exclusive use of one of its ports. However, this offer has yet to fully address Ethiopia’s broader maritime ambitions.
https://en.sputniknews.africa/20241201/kenya-and-uganda-to-work-together-to-resolve-somalia-ethiopia-conflict-says-president-ruto-1069495038.html
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ethiopia, somaliland, somalia, east africa, horn of africa, abiy ahmed, conflict, economy, red sea, trade, djibouti, port, security
New Ethiopian Customs Points in Berbera Stir Horn of Africa Tensions
Christina Glazkova
Writer / Editor
On January 1, Ethiopia and the unrecognized republic of Somaliland signed a memorandum allowing Addis Ababa access to the Red Sea. As a result, Somalia's government withdrew its ambassador from Addis Ababa and nullified the agreement between Somaliland and Ethiopia.
Ethiopian transit customs points were opened in the port of Berbera, Somaliland. These points will be responsible for transporting unloaded cargo to various destinations within Ethiopia, the Somaliland Ministry of Financial Development
announced on Tuesday.
This step is part of an initiative outlined in a memorandum of understanding from January between Ethiopia and the breakaway region of Somaliland. It has led to protests from Somalia, which considers Somaliland an integral part of its territory, and has heightened tensions across the Horn of Africa.
Ethiopia has been grappling with the challenges of being landlocked since Eritrea’s independence three decades ago, relying heavily on Djibouti for maritime trade. This dependency has spurred Ethiopia’s ambition to secure direct sea access, a goal that Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed
reiterated in November as critical to the country’s future. Somaliland, strategically positioned on the Gulf of Aden, has emerged as a potential solution.
Ethiopia, however, has emphasized that its engagement with Somaliland does not threaten Somalia’s sovereignty. President Taye Atske Selassie
reaffirmed in October the nation’s commitment to regional stability, economic integration, and anti-terrorism efforts. Nevertheless, tensions have risen as Egypt
strengthens its alliance with Somalia, sending military aid to Mogadishu earlier this year. These developments have added complexity to an already delicate regional dynamic.
While Abiy Ahmed clarified that Ethiopia has no intention of using military force to reclaim sea access, he warned that the issue could become a source of conflict if unresolved. To ease tensions, Djibouti, Ethiopia’s primary trade conduit,
has offered exclusive use of one of its ports. However, this offer has yet to fully address Ethiopia’s broader maritime ambitions.
