The Horn of Africa and the Red Sea have got extreme attention in recent times as tensions brew among nations and face disruption due to flaring attacks. Besides, numerous nations want to secure a place in the most volatile geographic area to ensure their national interest.
The biggest and most populated nation in the Horn, Ethiopia has been one of the major actors that have played key roles in the region. The nation has even gotten numerous appreciations from around the world for its bold participation in terms of ensuring peace and security in the region.
Unfortunately, even though the region is crying for Ethiopia’s help in different aspects, the dynamic region still refuses when it comes to benefits and national interest. In recent times, Ethiopia has boldly started to ask for a genuine partnership in the region and let the former access the sea.
Having more than hundred million populations and a land locked, Ethiopia needs to have a way to connect itself to the sea so that it will ease the nation’s burden in its import and export activities and defend its political interest in the volatile geographic region.
When Ethiopia and Somaliland reached an accord regarding accessing to the sea, and Ethiopia, in return, accepts Somaliland’s appeal to become a sovereign country. Ethiopia is committed to regional peace and dismissed allegations of territorial violation, underscoring the nation’s legitimate pursuit of access to the sea reaffirmed Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) during the 6th round of the 4th term and the 3rd ordinary session of the House of People’s Representatives earlier this month. The Premier clarified that the MoU between Ethiopia and Somalia which grants Ethiopia limited coastal access for 50 years, has been misinterpreted as a territorial threat.
As soon as the two parts reached to the agreement, various actors from around the world started to act based on their interest. Besides, the Government of Somalia has also started to contact Ethiopia’s history long enemies to work with them by deliberately ignoring Ethiopia’s favor.
It is important to remember what Ethiopia did to the people and government of Somalia for the past decades. The former has sacrificed the lives of its sons and daughters for the well-being of the latter.
After the accord to access the sea, Somalia has directly contacted Egypt who has no historic share in the region. The North African state has little or no contribution in fighting the region’s core challenges as Ethiopia and some of the Horn Africa nation did.
It is true that when an entity get some gap between brothers, it will be easy to infiltrate their bond and start to use it for one’s interest. When Ethiopia and Somalia could not come to the table to discuss their difference, there are so many actors who want to get involved. In addition, the world knows the rivalry between Ethiopia and Egypt in the Nile River case. To this point, when Egypt finds a way to put its boot in the Horn of Africa, the country will use it without any hesitation.
In recent reports, Egypt has started to deploy its military in the Somalia soil as the Horn nation ordered Ethiopian soldiers to leave its territory in order to replace them with the Egypt army. The military agreement between Egypt and Somalia and their each and every move must be critically assessed by the government of Ethiopia.
Putting its arch enemy in its backyard, Ethiopia must work hard to defend its national interest and territorial integrity. It is the fact that the Horn of Africa, especially Somalia has multiplied Ethiopian sacrificed and effort by zero and started to work with other actors.
Accordingly, having stayed with ENA, Yakob Arsano, a prominent Scholar, stressed the need for critically examining Egypt’s role in Somalia and its presence that could escalate instability across the region emphasizing the importance of strengthening border security and fostering regional partnerships to safeguard against potential threats.
The scholar highlighted Egypt’s involvement in Somalia as a potentially destabilizing force in Northeast Africa, urging those nations there to critically examine it. Egypt’s presence is possibly motivated by self-interest, particularly its desire to control the Nile River, rather than any genuine intent to support peace in Somalia.
“Egypt has not shown a reliable record in combating terrorism, even within its own borders,” Yakob observed. He argued that Egypt’s influence in Somalia is possibly part of a broader strategy to weaken Ethiopia, with the Nile River at the center of its agenda.
Following the current escalation in the region, Ethiopia warned that such maneuvers of actors from outside the Horn of Africa region undermine efforts in eliminating terrorist groups that are causing chaos and mayhem on the people of the region.
Particularly, Ethiopia urged Egypt as a downstream country to choose the path of negotiation and international law as well as reorient its colonial-based policy on the Abbay (Nile River).
In this regard, Yakob expressed concern that Egypt’s presence in Somalia could create lasting repercussions for the region. And he warned that this irresponsible act might be unfolding in Somalia.
If Egypt fails to establish control, he cautioned, abandoned weapons could fall into the hands of terrorist groups, posing immediate threats to both Somalia and Ethiopia.
The scholar also urged Somalia’s leaders to carefully evaluate the implications of allowing Egypt, a historical rival of Ethiopia, into their territory. Allowing Egypt to gain influence could strain Ethiopian and Somalia’s ties; he said it will be undermining Somalia’s own security and stability, in particular.
Reflecting on Ethiopia’s contributions to Somali peace efforts, Yakob reminded the sacrifices made by Ethiopian soldiers in Somalia.
Thousands of Ethiopian troops have fought alongside Somali forces to strengthen the country’s sovereignty, he noted, reinforcing Ethiopia’s commitment to regional stability. He further stressed that a secure Somalia, free from disruptive external influence, is in the best interest of both countries.
Turning to Ethiopia’s need for sea access, Yakob highlighted the strategic importance of fostering positive relationships with neighboring nations. As the “Water Tower of Africa,” Ethiopia possesses abundant water resources that it could share to promote economic and security alliances in exchange for sea access.
“A reliable path to the sea is essential not only for Ethiopia’s trade and development but also for the region’s security,” he stated, calling upon the UN Security Council, the African Union, and regional leaders to closely monitor Egypt’s presence in Somalia. For Ethiopia, he emphasized, peaceful and cooperative engagement with neighbors remains the ideal approach for both regional development and security.
BY DANIEL ALEMAYEHU
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SUNDAY EDITION 10 NOVEMBER 2024
