The United States has firmly stated that it does not recognize the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between Ethiopia and Somaliland, calling for a diplomatic resolution to the ongoing tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia. The MoU, which grants Ethiopia access to Somaliland’s Red Sea coastline, has fueled a diplomatic rift with Somalia, which views the deal as an infringement on its sovereignty.
In an exclusive interview, U.S. Ambassador to Somalia Richard Riley reaffirmed Washington’s position, emphasizing that the U.S. is working to mediate the situation diplomatically. “We are very much aware and working collaboratively to make sure there is a diplomatic resolution of this current situation,” Riley said during an interview at the U.S. Embassy in Mogadishu. “It is an unfortunate situation, very disruptive, and started with this MoU between Somaliland and Ethiopia. Of course, we do not recognize it, and we are trying to solve it through diplomatic channels.”
U.S. Calls for Peaceful Resolution
The dispute between Ethiopia and Somalia erupted earlier this year when Ethiopia signed the MoU with Somaliland, a self-declared independent region that Somalia continues to claim as part of its territory. Under the agreement, Ethiopia would gain access to a significant portion of Somaliland’s Red Sea coastline for leasing, which has raised alarm in Mogadishu.
Somalia considers any agreements made by Somaliland without its consent as a violation of its national sovereignty. Ethiopian forces have long been present in Somalia as part of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), contributing to regional security, but the diplomatic fallout from this MoU has placed strains on the relationship between the two countries.
Ambassador Riley underscored the urgency of resolving the issue through diplomatic efforts, stressing that the U.S. and the international community are working non-stop to prevent further escalation. “No one can accept there would be any kind of conflict, much less war,” Riley said. “This is absolutely needed, and it is needed soon.”
Ethiopia-Somalia Tensions Remain High
Turkey, a key ally of Somalia, has attempted to mediate the dispute between Somalia and Ethiopia, but so far, talks have failed to yield a breakthrough. Both nations are set to meet for a third round of talks later this month, with hopes that further negotiations will prevent the situation from deteriorating into armed conflict.
“The core issue remains Ethiopia’s refusal to annul the MoU with Somaliland, which is Somalia’s position,” said Abdi Aynte, a former Somali minister involved in previous negotiations. Analysts warn that unless Ethiopia reconsiders its stance, the prospect of a lasting agreement remains slim.
The potential for conflict remains a significant concern, particularly with Ethiopian troops already stationed within Somalia under ATMIS. Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre recently stated that all Ethiopian forces should withdraw from Somalia once the ATMIS mandate expires at the end of 2024, further complicating the situation.
U.S. Role in Regional Security and Stability
Ambassador Riley highlighted the U.S.’s commitment to supporting Somalia’s sovereignty and security, noting that the U.S. remains Somalia’s largest donor and a key security partner. The U.S. has provided extensive military aid, debt forgiveness, and financial support to help Somalia combat terrorism and stabilize the nation.
“We absolutely have always strongly supported the current ATMIS force here,” Riley said, commending the troop-contributing countries, including Ethiopia, for their bravery in combating terrorist groups like al-Shabaab. However, he emphasized that the U.S. would continue to support any peacekeeping mission aimed at promoting long-term stability and security in Somalia, including the forthcoming African Union Support Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).
Riley stressed two immediate priorities for the U.S. in Somalia: ensuring that Somali armed forces have the resources needed to fight extremist groups and promoting economic development. “Somalia needs both physical and economic security,” he noted, adding that international investments and market connectivity are crucial for the country’s future.
U.S. Push for a Diplomatic Solution
As the situation unfolds, the U.S. continues to back peaceful negotiations, while remaining clear in its rejection of any agreements between Ethiopia and Somaliland that bypass Somalia’s sovereignty. The upcoming rounds of talks, facilitated by Turkey, will be critical in determining whether diplomacy can resolve the tensions or if the situation will escalate further.
With Ethiopia’s strategic interests in the Red Sea and Somalia’s unwavering position on its territorial integrity, the dispute has become a pivotal issue in East African politics. The U.S. aims to ensure that the region remains stable and that the resolution of the MoU dispute aligns with Somalia’s sovereignty and broader peace efforts.
Both the US Ambassador to Somalia and the Special Envoy to the Horn of Africa have made it clear that the US government does not and will not recognize the MOU signed between Ethiopia and Somaliland. It did not come as shocking to me because it was not done endorsed by the UN or any of its members. It is also obviously clear that no UN member country recognizes Somaliland as an independent nation even though they may have plausible reasons for that.
There you have it. The people of Somaliland are paying a heavy price now for the fatal mistake their fathers made in 1960. But their brothers and sisters to their north in Djibouti made the wisest decision in 1977 no post colonialism African nation ever made by going independent. This MOU thing has all the characteristics of something that was not thought thru very well or it was done with an ulterior motive beyond the search for an outlet to a sea. It could breed other future MOU’s of all sorts, from the sensible to the destructive for the whole region or even for the entire continent. Who knows, el-Sisi may be seen signing an MOU with OLA or a faction of Fano rebels. Ethiopia is gripped with conflicts being waged by bigots and connivers who are hell bent on carving out a territory to call it their separate fiefdom. It is mind boggling why it encourages others to do the same to go separate ways, hell or high water. The need for an outlet to sea is understandable. But all such issues in other areas of the world were amicably resolved by peaceful diplomatic means. The issue of Somaliland is the issue that needs to be resolved by diplomatic and peaceful means by the Somali people themselves.
It is a head scratcher why the leaders of Ethiopia chose to go this way unless at their right moment in the future, they themselves want to go their separate ways. It will create precedence for the coming of various fiefdoms being led by despots, bigots and connivers. Then the bloodletting will go in a way that country or region never seen in its history. Reading Obbo Bahru Zewde’s book on the history of the old country, I had come to understanding that there was a period where that country descended into multi fiefdoms entity where there was constant war between them. But in those they fought carrying swords and spears with limited presence of bolt action rifles. But now we live in highly efficient shoulder mounted killing automatic rifles such as AK 47’s and AR15’s. Add deadly drones to that, there will be nowhere to hide. At close range, a single rifleman can mow down 30-40 humans in seconds at close range with his AK47, AR15 and Uzi’s. So try to imagine the bloodshed among more than 130 million people. That is what has been depriving me of sleep since 1974. It is inevitable as long as current states in the federation are being led by irresponsibly angry men. They are angry after reading books written by foreign agents in missionary garbs more than 150 years ago. Those sinister individuals were not there to really preach The Holy Scriptures but in a scheme that goes like ‘Now we have the Bible/Qur’An and you natives have your lands’. A decade or two later that would change to ‘Now you have our Bible/Qur’An and we have your land’. The only Africans that did not fall for the ruse were our forefathers. Will that happen again? I don’t know. I really don’t know!!!
Peace y’all!!!!
But there are others among us who erroneously accuse Good Ole USA for problems we created on ourselves. In short, it is all part of decades old ‘my dog ate my home work’ copout, lame excuse. USA was not the one who created Amharas, Tigres, Oromos, Afars, Somalis, Sidamas and more than 80 groups of people. Bigots and connivers among these groups of people have been pitching one group against others for centuries before the founding of USA itself. This article reminds me of some articles that used to pop out on student publications among us in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s. They used to come with headlines like ‘On the questions of imperialism’ and ‘Some notes on Imperialism’. They all assailed the USA for every problem the old country was facing. They presented USA as an imperialist that controls the economy. Then I started asking questions like ‘What is the name of a US company(companies) that control the economy?’ That was so naive on my part but to this day nobody was able to give me one name. The answer I received then was a look with angry looking bloodshot eyes. It is all the same typical lame excuse. The solutions are not in DC, Minnesota, Toronto, Tennessee, Oslo or Down Under. It is right in the hands of the should-know-betters of the country itself. USA is not the one that created OLA, Fano, TPLF or any other warlike groups. US soldiers were not the ones that committed gross war crimes in Tigray, Afar, Amhara and Oromia regions. All these were committed by 100% Ethiopian citizens. What we should is to look at ourselves in the mirror and say enough is enough. Enough with battle cries zerraafs, gerersaas and laloyes and head to the dialogue tables. Stop making excuses.
Btw, those who used to blame Good Ole USA for the ills haunting the Horn of Africa had to seek refuge in USA and its allied countries when Mengistu and Siad Barre were coming after their wise behind. But as always they still remain thankless souls.