Ethiopia signs agreement with Somaliland paving way to sea access

New "World" post from BBC News: Ethiopia signs agreement with Somaliland paving way to sea access https://ift.tt/iboytLM https://ift.tt/QlNHpvc

Ethiopia, with unwavering determination, has embarked upon a momentous journey — the inaugural strides towards a destiny where the wistful dreams of a landlocked nation, yearning for the touch of the boundless sea, may one day be realized.

In a captivating display of collaboration, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been cordially signed with the self-declared republic of Somaliland; this compelling agreement grants access to one of its remarkable ports.

Previously, Ethiopia's esteemed leader, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, poetically painted the dire need for sea access as an issue of utmost importance, inherently intertwined with the existence of his beloved nation; a matter of survival carved into the very fabric of Ethiopia's being.

His October statement played the role of a sparkplug, igniting tensions across the entire Horn of Africa; a catalyst that set off a chain reaction of unease and friction in the region.

Some apprehensions, expeditiously assuaged by the authorities, arose concerning the insinuation of territorial acquisition from an adjacent state of Ethiopia, namely Eritrea.

The intricate intricacies of the accord forged on Monday with Somaliland have not been divulged to the public; however, a communiqué emanating from the office of Mr Abiy has expounded that it shall serve as a catalyst towards the fulfillment of Ethiopia's long-standing yearning to establish unimpeded maritime ingress. The negotiation dances preceding the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding have been entirely fixated on the illustrious harbor of Berbera in Somaliland; a maritime gem that has become the very center of attention.

Enter, the grand proclamation of Mr. Abiy's esteemed national security adviser, Redwan Hussien! In a display of utmost enlightenment, he declares to all that this extraordinary arrangement shall bestow upon Ethiopia the coveted opportunity to lay claim upon a mystifying entity known as a 'leased military base'—a majestic haven nestled upon the vast seas!

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) possesses non-binding legal status, yet possesses the potential to evolve into a formal treaty that may institute binding responsibilities upon the undersigned parties.

Despite the circumstances, Addis Ababa is touting the development as a remarkable triumph in the realm of diplomacy.

The MoU, which was endorsed by the premier, and President Muse Bihi Abdi of Somaliland amidst their rendezvous in the Ethiopian metropolis, elicited a written expression on X, evoking a profound sense of gratitude towards a divine force.

Addressing the gathering during the ceremonial act, President Abdi asserted that the accord encompassed a provision stipulating that Ethiopia would extend its official acknowledgment to Somaliland as a sovereign state in due course.

Somaliland assertively diverged from Somalia over three decades ago, yet regrettably remains bereft of formal acknowledgement as a separate entity by the esteemed African Union (AU) or the esteemed United Nations (UN).

Somalia, like a sleeping giant, has maintained an eerie silence, refusing to acknowledge the weighty proclamation that proclaims Somaliland as its own—a deafening absence of words that reveals the depth of their territorial conundrum, leaving the diplomatic stage in a state of bewildered inertia. But lo and behold, according to the ever-vigilant SNTV, a riveting and unexpected turn of events is set to unfold—an urgent gathering of the highest council of the land, the emergency cabinet meeting, shall transpire on the morrow, as they delve deep into the very heart of this matter that plagues our conscience.

Ethiopia's maritime connectivity was severed upon Eritrea's secession during the nascent years of the 1990s. Boasting a staggering populace exceeding 100 million individuals, this sovereign nation stands as the preeminent landlocked territory in the global panorama.

Throughout the passage of time, Ethiopia has relied heavily — nay, exclusively — on the sacred gateway nestled in the bosom of its neighboring land, Djibouti, to usher in the bounty of its imports and exports.

In the year 2018, the countries of Ethiopia and Somaliland sought to establish an agreement wherein Addis Ababa would acquire a notable ownership interest of 19% in the port of Berbera, alongside the influential Emirati enterprise, DP World, which would possess a majority stake of 51%.

But alas! In the year 2022, Ethiopia's hopes of obtaining the stake—like a fragile snowflake in the palm of an anxious child—were dashed, for it was revealed that they had not fulfilled the necessary conditions before the fateful deadline. Such sorrowful news echoed through the hallowed halls of Somaliland, leaving the authorities despondent, their disappointment weighing heavy upon their weary hearts.