https://apnews.com/article/somalia-somaliland-ethiopia-coast-deal-cf55ea156e44370253c591864b62c264
Ethiopia and Somaliland signed an agreement on January 1st that is believed to have given Ethiopia access to Somaliland to build a port in exchange for Ethiopia’s recognition of Somaliland as an independent state. Neither Ethiopia nor Somaliland have released specific information about the sea access deal. Somalia does not currently recognize Somaliland as independent, though Somaliland has been operating independently from Somalia for over thirty years. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud released a statement in early February criticizing the sea access deal. Mohamud claimed that the deal would mean annexing part of Somalia to Ethiopia and changing the borders but Ethiopia disagrees, viewing Somaliland as a separate part of Somalia. Mohamud also alleged that, following the agreement, Ethiopian military officers were in Somaliland preparing for the territory’s annexation. Somalia has since claimed that war may be a possibility if Ethiopia’s building of the port in Somaliland continues. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed responded to these claims, stating that he doesn’t have any intention of going to war with Somalia.
The Ethiopia and Somaliland sea access deal is important because it would give Ethiopia, a landlocked state, access to the Gulf of Adena and the Red Sea. This deal will give Ethiopia many new trade opportunities since they don’t have to use Djibouti’s port anymore for all imports and exports. Looking at Ethiopia’s history and how it’s been a landlocked state since 1993, it makes sense why Ethiopia would want this deal which will positively benefit their economy. I think Somaliland joined this deal for the potential economic benefits and to get the recognition and an independent state that Somaliland has been seeking. I think that there may be some conflict in the region between Ethiopia and Somalia as Ethiopia continues to develop the port in Somaliland because Somalia views it as Ethiopia annexing its territory. However, I think Ethiopia will try to de-escalate tensions before they progress to an armed conflict.
Somaliland connects to sovereignty because Somaliland views itself as sovereign and legitimate because they have a constitution and have been operating as independent from Somalia for thirty years. But Somalia doesn’t recognize their sovereignty which questions international law and if Somalia threatens the trade agreement between Ethiopia and Somaliland would be an invasion of Somaliland’s sovereignty. If Somalia and Ethiopia go into a conflict then the conflict would be at an interstate level because it’s over a boundary dispute and sovereignty issues.