Fresh conflict arises from controversial #Ethiopia-#Somaliland MoU
As the yet unimplemented MoU has upended geopolitics in the Horn since it has been signed on 1 January, no actual progress has been made on its stated aims: Ethiopia’s access to the port of Berbera and recognition of Somaliland’s independence.
A “secondary” provision of the MoU, entirely unnecessary to those stated aims except as an item of power and prestige — that is to say vainglory, has now set the spark for yet another proxy war.
The setting up of an Ethiopian naval base in Zeila, #Awdal, has been the main focus of Somali outcry against #Ethiopia’s encroachment of her sovereignty. It has also brought into question whether #Turkey would be obliged to intervene against it, after the naval MoU signed with #Somalia over the training of a Somali maritime force, the protection and exploitation of the Somali EEZ.
An immediate consequence has been for former #Somaliland ally #Djibouti to support #Awdal’s #Gadabuursi clan against Hargeisa. The site of the Ethiopian naval base, on Gadabuursi territory, is located at barely 25 km from Djibouti’s border.
#Somaliland’s president Muse Bihi Abdi has demanded for #Djibouti’s interference to end and threatened to arm opponents to the 35-year rule of dictator Ismail Omar Guelleh.
Despite Ethiopian and #Somaliland rhetoric, this MoU has made peace and security an ever more elusive aim for both countries and the wider region. This also spells trouble for the current Turkish mediation talks in Ankara between #Ethiopia and #Somalia. It can only be hoped this development weakens Ethiopian interest in a naval base on Somaliland’s coast.
Mathieu Gotteland