MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Eritrea has signaled the possibility of severing diplomatic ties with Somalia following the recent Turkish-brokered agreement aimed at resolving nearly a year of tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia. Asmara has sharply criticized the deal, describing it as “rushed and ambiguous,” according to BBC Somali.
Abdulkadir Idris, an advisor to the Eritrean Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Somalia and Africa, stressed that while Somalia, as a sovereign nation, is entitled to engage in diplomatic agreements with foreign countries, Eritrea did not anticipate Somalia’s hasty acceptance of what Idris called a detrimental and poorly conceived deal.
Idris further asserted that Ethiopia’s interest in Somalia lies not in securing a commercial port but in establishing a military naval outpost along the Red Sea. He warned that should Somalia concede to Ethiopia’s request for such a strategic foothold, Eritrea would view it as a significant security threat, prompting a reconsideration of its diplomatic relations with Somalia.
The December 13 agreement between Ethiopia and Somalia, hastily brokered under Turkish pressure, has sparked widespread backlash among the Somali public. Many have expressed disappointment in President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, accusing him of reneging on his commitments and failing to maintain a consistent foreign policy toward Ethiopia. The accord, which was intended to resolve tensions arising from Ethiopia’s January sea access agreement with the breakaway region of Somaliland, has fueled further outrage in Mogadishu, where Ethiopia had previously been branded “enemy number one.”
In addition to Eritrea’s concerns, Egypt—having strengthened its ties with Somalia in response to escalating tensions with Ethiopia—has also raised alarm. This week, Somalia’s Foreign Minister reassured his Egyptian counterpart that Ethiopia would not be granted military access to Somalia’s coastline, but would only be allowed a commercial outlet.
Mr. Idris, reflecting on the tripartite agreement signed weeks ago in Asmara between Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Egypt, emphasized that the three countries had agreed to defend Somalia’s coastline against any Ethiopian aggression, particularly in the event of a full-scale assault on Somalia’s waters and territory. This pact was negotiated prior to the rushed Ethiopia-Somalia deal.
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