African Union Urges Prompt Action on Somalia-Ethiopia Agreement

The African Union urges Somalia and Ethiopia to swiftly implement a new agreement aimed at resolving tensions over sea access. This follows a contentious deal Ethiopia made with Somaliland, raising sovereignty issues. The Turkey-brokered accord seeks to establish a collaborative framework for mutual prosperity, yet concerns regarding the prior Somaliland agreement remain. Leaders of both nations have expressed commitment to peace while navigating complex bilateral relations.

The African Union (AU) has issued a call for the expeditious implementation of a significant agreement between Somalia and Ethiopia, which is intended to alleviate tensions arising from Ethiopia’s aspirations for sea access. AU Commission Chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat characterized the deal as a pivotal action and emphasized the urgency for both nations to act decisively to bolster the resolution.

The strain between Somalia and Ethiopia intensified in January due to Ethiopia’s contentious agreement with Somaliland—a self-proclaimed independent region of Somalia—to lease coastal land for a port and military facility. This arrangement has implications of Ethiopia recognizing Somaliland’s autonomy, a proposition that Somalia vehemently opposes, citing infringements on its sovereignty.

Turkey played a central role in facilitating the recent negotiations, culminating in this week’s historic agreement. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan heralded the deal as a critical advance toward providing Ethiopia, which has been landlocked since Eritrea’s independence in 1993, with assured access to the sea. The accord, disseminated by Turkey, obligates both nations to collaboratively overcome their disputes and to pursue mutual economic interests. It lays out plans for technical discussions regarding commercial and bilateral cooperation, ensuring Ethiopia’s sea access remains reliable, safe, and sustainable under Somalia’s jurisdiction. Plans are set to commence these discussions in February, with an expected conclusion within four months, and Turkey has offered to mediate as needed.

Nevertheless, the specifics of Ethiopia’s prior engagement with Somaliland remains ambiguous. A close source to Somaliland’s leadership indicated that the new agreement does not annul the previous memorandum of understanding. The AU and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) have commended this agreement, recognizing it as a vital stride towards resolving bilateral tensions. IGAD Executive Secretary Workneh Gebeyehu praised the agreement as evidence of both countries’ commitment to peaceful resolutions.

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud highlighted the significance of fostering peace and collaboration within the region. In parallel, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed acknowledged his nation’s imperative for coastal access while denying any desire to resort to military conflict regarding this issue. This agreement signifies a crucial turning point in Ethiopia-Somalia relations; however, concerns regarding Ethiopia’s arrangement with Somaliland persist as both nations endeavor to translate this diplomatic advancement into tangible and enduring progress.

The recent agreement between Somalia and Ethiopia marks a crucial moment in their historically complex relationship, especially given Ethiopia’s need for maritime access since becoming landlocked. Following a contentious deal with Somaliland, tensions had escalated, prompting the necessity for dialogue mediated by Turkey. Addressing the existing disputes is essential not only for bilateral relations but for regional stability. The AU’s involvement underscores the importance of cooperative solutions to enhance peace in the Horn of Africa.

The AU’s call for actionable steps towards implementing the Somalia-Ethiopia agreement illustrates a strategic move to foster peaceful relations in the region. With Turkey’s mediation and the commitment from both nations to work collaboratively, there exists potential for significant progress in establishing dependable maritime routes for Ethiopia while addressing Somalia’s sovereignty concerns. The lingering ambiguity surrounding Ethiopia’s previous agreement with Somaliland poses challenges that require careful negotiation to ensure a sustainable resolution and to avoid future conflicts.

Original Source: newscentral.africa