Ethiopia Set To Have Access To The Sea

Africa | Ethiopia | Somaliland | Infrasture January 2, 2024

Ethiopia is set to have access to the sea after the landlocked country signed a deal with Somaliland by which Ethiopia will recognize Somaliland as a sovereign nation and Somaliland will grant Ethiopia a 50-year leashold for 20 kilometers of its coastline along the Red Sea. That was reported by some African media on January 2, 2024. With the leased coastline Ethiopia will build its own commercial port and naval base, say the reports.

Somaliland broke away from Somalia and declared itself independent in 1991. Recognition of it's declared independence by Ethiopia is therefore a huge political milestone for it. At the same time, Somalia that still considers Somaliland as it's region, has reportedly castigated the coastline leasehold deal between Somaliland and Ethiopia and dsmissed the deal as invalid.

Notwithstanding, however, Somalia has, in practical terms, no political, economic, or military leverage over the relatively peaceful and prosperous breakawy region. As such, it can hardly do anything to stop the deal between Somaliland and Ethiopia. Besides, the deal entails only a land lease not a land sale/freehold, and that will enable Ethiopia to have its own sea port. Given that Ethiopia is one of the fastest growing economies in Africa, such a port could be seen positively as beneficial not only to Ethiopia per se but to Somaliland, and Africa at large.

So, the deal is a good move by Ethiopia and Somaliland that should applauded by even Somalia.

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