Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre accuses Ethiopia of an attack on the Somali border and their “dangerous plan” to control entrances of the Red Sea.
The accusation from Somalia comes from the memorandum of understanding (MoU) for partnership signed between Somaliland and Ethiopia on the 1 January 2024.
The partnership
Somaliland, a former territory of Somalia, signed the MoU with some of the critical terms of the partnership as follows:
- Ethiopia will lease part of Somaliland’s coast for access to the Red Sea
- Somaliland will get shares in Ethiopian Airlines and recognition as a state.
Somaliland broke away from Somalia in 1991, and no foreign nation recognises Somaliland’s sovereignty, but it is a self-governing country with an independent government and democratic elections.
Somaliland nevertheless faces limited international support and weak diplomatic relations.
In today's Arab League emergency meeting, I highlighted the dangerous plan by Ethiopia to control the entrances to the Red Sea, threatening global trade and navigation. We urged Arab countries to unite and stand with Somalia in confronting this aggressive plan. Solidarity is key. pic.twitter.com/cF4eisbe6B
— Hamza Abdi Barre (@HamzaAbdiBarre) January 17, 2024
The background
Somalia and Ethiopia have a history of being adversarial states. The two countries fought in the Ogaden War from 1977 to 1978 over the Ethiopian region of Ogaden.
The war led to the death of 60,000 people and displaced 600,000 others. The Ethiopian army was dominant in the war and had taken control of the Ogaden region in the early 1900s. However, the Somalis perceived this as an attempt at expanding Ethiopia’s Christian empire.
Prime Minister Barre of Somalia has called on the Arab League, a Northern African regional organization, to show solidarity with Ethiopia in the face of this strategic move to prevent further hostilities.
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