August 31, 2024
Addis Insight
Djibouti Offers Ethiopia Management of a Port to Ease Regional Tensions
Djibouti’s Foreign Minister, Mahmoud Ali Yusuf, has revealed that his country has proposed a significant offer to Ethiopia in a bid to reduce tensions in the Horn of Africa. In a special interview with BBC Focus on Africa, the foreign minister discussed the possibility of Ethiopia directly managing one of Djibouti’s ports.
Access to the Sea for Ethiopia
Foreign Minister Yusuf stated that Djibouti has offered Ethiopia the option to “fully manage” the Tajura port, which is located hundreds of kilometers away from Ethiopia. This proposal is intended to alleviate Ethiopia’s longstanding issue of being landlocked and lacking direct access to a seaport. The foreign minister emphasized that this move could help ease tensions with Somalia, which have arisen due to Ethiopia’s sea gate communication agreement with Somaliland, a region that has declared itself an independent country.
The Proposal and Its Strategic Importance
The proposal includes allowing Ethiopia to manage not only the port of Tajura but also a newly constructed corridor that would enable Ethiopia to access the sea. This offer was reportedly presented to Ethiopia by Djibouti’s President, Omar Guleh. However, the foreign minister did not provide detailed information on which government body would handle the agreement, when it would be implemented, or the specific terms of the proposed port management deal.
Diplomatic Implications and Future Discussions
Despite the lack of specifics, the minister mentioned that the proposal would be a topic of discussion between the leaders of Ethiopia and Djibouti at the upcoming China-Africa summit. This development comes as Ethiopia has been using Tajura port, which was constructed at a cost of $90 million, for the past four years. The port is strategically important for exporting potash reserves, as well as coal and iron cargoes from the Afar region.
Regional Tensions and Economic Considerations
Ethiopia, a landlocked nation, currently relies heavily on the port of Djibouti for its import and export trade, costing the country over $1 billion annually. The signing of an agreement between Ethiopia and Somaliland, which has declared independence, has further strained Ethiopia’s relations with Somalia, creating diplomatic tension. The foreign minister urged that both countries should resolve their differences through dialogue, with the support of Djibouti, Kenya, and other regional players.
Broader Security Concerns
The minister also expressed concerns about the broader security implications for the region. He highlighted the ongoing threat from the Yemeni Houthi armed group in the Gulf of Aden and Bab al-Mandab province, stressing that unresolved tensions in neighboring countries pose a significant threat to Djibouti, despite its stability. He called on both Ethiopia and Somalia to refrain from inflammatory statements and actions that could escalate tensions.
Military Cooperation and External Influences
Adding to the complexity of the situation, Egypt, which has been in a longstanding dispute with Ethiopia over the construction of the Great Renaissance Dam, has signed a military cooperation agreement with Somalia. This move, which includes the delivery of weapons to Somalia, has further heightened tensions in the Horn of Africa. Ethiopia has warned that it will not remain passive in the face of actions that could destabilize the region and accused the Somali government of collaborating with foreign forces that seek to create instability.
The Somaliland Controversy
The memorandum of understanding that Ethiopia signed with Somaliland to secure a 20-kilometer coastline has particularly angered Somalia, leading to significant regional tensions. In response, Somaliland officials have suggested that Ethiopia could be the first country in the world to recognize Somaliland as an independent nation. This has led Somalia to sever diplomatic ties with Ethiopia and bring the issue before the UN Security Council, labeling it as an invasion and a violation of its sovereignty.
The situation in the Horn of Africa remains delicate, with multiple nations involved in a complex web of diplomatic, economic, and military interests. Djibouti’s offer to allow Ethiopia to manage the Tajura port could be a key step in easing tensions, but much will depend on the forthcoming discussions and the broader regional context.
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