Article review By: Yusuf Habiib Hussein (Seer)

 

Article review

By: Yusuf Habiib Hussein (Seer)

Ethiopia-Somaliland Deal: Somaliland’s Pathway to International Recognition

Dr. Mohamed Farah Hesi

Academy for Peace and Development 

 

Introduction of the Article

Pathway to International Recognition" discusses a landmark MoU signed between Ethiopia and Somaliland on January 1, 2024. The memorandum allows Ethiopia to access the sea by leasing 20 kilometers from Somaliland while, in return, designating that it will recognize Somaliland and give the country a stake in Ethiopian Airlines. This development has far-reaching implications for the geopolitics of the Horn of Africa and changes the course of Ethiopia's foreign policy toward Somalia.

It marked a turning point for both Ethiopia and Somaliland. For Ethiopia, it is supposed to presage the fulfillment of its long-cherished strategic goal of gaining access to the sea. In formally recognizing Somaliland, Ethiopia gives word of a new hierarchy of foreign policy preoccupations in which its own interests and those of Somaliland take precedence over the obligation of comradeship with Somalia.

However, the deal has been opposed by the government of Somalia, which views it as against Somalia's territorial integrity and unity. The country says that Somaliland is still its sovereign territory and that any agreement with it is unlawful. In contrast, ZZ Somaliland's Ministry of Foreign Affairs views the recognition as one of the major turning points in the country's diplomatic history. 

Multilateral organizations and major powers have reacted with caution, calling for diplomatic dialogue amongst all stakeholders. While they do reiterate their commitment to Somalia's territorial integrity and unity, they do not explicitly denounce the content of the agreement.

This article will discuss how the Ethiopia-Somaliland Accord plays into the quest for international recognition by Somaliland. It is an agreement that might reconfigure the geopolitical landscape in the Horn, where Eth­io­pia will get its badly needed access to the sea, while Somaliland inches closer to inter­na­tion­al recogni­tion long over­due. Whether it succeeds and the poten­tial dis­agree­ments that might arise as a result will be defining fac­tors in setting the pace for region­al integ­ra­tion and cooperation in the Horn of Africa.

The article entitled "Ethiopia-Somaliland Deal: Pathway to International Recognition" reviews the MoU signed between Ethiopia and Somaliland on January 1, 2024. Under this understanding, Ethiopia gets access to the sea by leasing 20 kilometers of coastline from Somaliland, while in return, Ethiopia does recognize Somaliland and gets a share in Ethiopian Airlines. The deal is intended to alter Ethiopia's foreign policy toward Somalia and may prove to be a turning point for both of them.

The background of the context presents the historic aspect of Somaliland statehood, wherein, from a former British protectorate, Somaliland attained independence in 1960; however, the union between Somaliland and Somalia had never been ratified. Somaliland declared its dissolution of unity with Somalia in 1991. This therefore means that the search for recognition by Somaliland is unique and self-justified in historical context. Definitely! Following are some more considerations about the body review of the deal between Ethiopia and Somaliland:

2.1 Overview

The paper summarizes some of the important motivators of the Ethiopia-Somaliland deal. The work has effectively brought out the desire of Ethiopia to reach the sea and that of Somaliland for international recognition. The inclusion of these drivers provides important context in which the agreement can be placed.

Most well-informed, however, is the section that deals with Ethiopia's ambition for access to the sea. It underlines, to some extent, with great particularity, the strategic and economic drivers of Ethiopia's need for maritime routes. Through leasing 20 kilometers of coastline from Somaliland, Ethiopia expects to break its landlocked shackles and reach the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden directly. This serves to help underline how significant the deal is to Ethiopia's long-term development and regional aspirations.

The paper further touches on Somaliland's quest for international recognition. The paper appreciates that in 1991, Somaliland declared independence from Somalia and has been striving to be recognized as a sovereign state. It is for this reason that the inclusion of Ethiopia's recognition of Somaliland and its stake in Ethiopian Airlines forms part of this agreement. This place the deal in the limelight with regard to Somaliland's diplomatic aspirations.

2.2 Critique:

The paper does a great job summarizing the key drivers, but it creates room for further analysis and critique of some aspects. First, there is a geopolitical perspective of this deal that might have been dug deeper into. How might the agreement impact the balance of power in the Horn of Africa? Are there any regional actors or powers which could be affected by the shifting dynamics emanating from the agreement?

Further, although the report mentions the hostility of the Somalian government toward the deal, it does not delve deeply enough into what motivated such a stand by them. The concerns of Somalia and what might be its response would better contextualize the political and security repercussions of the deal, if analyzed much deeper.

Thirdly, it would also be handy to discuss in the paper what economic and trade opportunities might come along as a result of the deal. How can the deal actually influence the regional trade and economic integration? Are there some challenges or opportunities that may arise for both Ethiopia and Somaliland in respect to economic cooperation and development?

While the paper has provided a tight summary of the key drivers for the deal between Ethiopia and Somaliland, further analysis and critique would add weight to the discussion in regard to geopolitical implications, opposition by Somalia, and economic opportunities.

Conclusion.

The MoU has wider ramifications for the geopolitical environment of the Horn. Under the deal, Ethiopia will get access to the sea by leasing 20 kilometers of coastline from Somaliland, while Ethiopia will recognize Somaliland as an independent entity in return. It is a landmark deal in which Somaliland moved another step toward international recognition, while Ethiopia achieved its long-cherished dream of access to the sea.

However, the agreement has not gone down well with the government of Somalia, which has viewed Somaliland as its own. In respect to that, Somalia declared the agreement null and void on grounds of violating its sovereignty and territorial integrity. The agreement was received with caution by the international community, including major powers and multilateral organizations, underlining the need for diplomatic dialogue and the preservation of Somalia's unity. Success of the Ethiopia-Somaliland accord is actually all about how those potential disagreements or challenges from the changed geopolitical power relations in the region will be resolved. What will shape the future of regional integration and cooperation in the Horn of Africa is the commitment to the implementation aspect between the two countries. What is yet to be seen is whether Somaliland's quest for recognition would get full endorsement from the international community or whether the claims of sovereignty by Somalia would be among the prudent considerations.

Fundamentally, the Ethiopia-Somaliland deal represents a critical shift in Ethiopia's Somalia policy, whereby its interests and those of Somaliland are now being put ahead of traditional relations with Somalia. This might have the potential to reconstitute the regional political panorama and lead to more economic cooperation, trade exchange, and security cooperation. As the situation develops, diplomacy and engagement by all the parties involved will be critically needed to obtain international recognition and stability across the Horn of Africa.

 

Reference  

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