(23-07-23) MOGADISHU – Somalia’s quiescence on the matter of Ethiopia’s publicised aim to secure port access, through negotiations or force, is a cause for serious concern and brings into sharp relief the relative unpreparedness of our nation in the face of this emerging threat.
Addis Insight on Friday reported that Ethiopia’s Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed, is exploring all options, including the use of force, to secure a port for his landlocked nation. The unsettling part of this development for Somalis is the prime minister’s openness in declaring force as a potential solution to Ethiopia’s dilemma, which appears to place regional stability in the balance.
Despite the gravity of these pronouncements, the Somali Federal Government’s silence is alarming and baffling. As a nation that shares an extensive border with Ethiopia, we must not neglect the fact that we have a history of conflict with our neighbour. This history, compounded by Ethiopia’s long-standing quest for sea access and its noted contribution to the Somali civil war and unrest, merits a proactive response from our government.
Ethiopia, in contrast to our state of disarray, seems to have learned from its past. Its increased military investments, evidenced by a well-trained navy, indicate readiness to seize opportunities, including those presented by the fragility of its neighbours. Yet, where is our strategic counterweight? Where is our commitment to national sovereignty and defence?
The prime minister’s announcement underscores a critical shift in Ethiopia’s foreign policy that is poised to affect the Horn of Africa and its strategic balance. While it is perfectly legitimate for Ethiopia to seek routes to economic prosperity and sustainability, it should not be at the expense of regional stability and the sovereignty of its neighbours. The inclusion of force as a viable option has undoubtedly sparked fears of a new era of conflict in a region striving for peace and development.
In March of this year, Ethiopia demonstrated its military resolve as its navy graduated members trained in a range of professional fields, including Navigation, Engineering, Electricity, Communication, and Armament. Rear Admiral Kindu Gezu declared that Ethiopia was establishing a navy capable of countering internal and external attacks. Concurrently, Ethiopia maintains thousands of troops in Somalia as part of the Africa Union mission and under a bilateral agreement with the Somali government to fight al-Shabab and fortify its border, further solidifying its strategic military foothold in the region.
Our government’s silence, in this context, could be misconstrued as a signal of consent or even worse, weakness. It is incumbent upon the Somali Federal Government to not only voice its concerns but to undertake strategic preparation for any eventuality.
Somalia is in dire need of comprehensive reform in its defence and foreign policy sectors. We need to improve our military readiness and diplomatic assertiveness. We must establish robust regional alliances and seek the backing of international bodies such as the African Union and the United Nations to ensure that the principle of territorial integrity is upheld.
The concerns of ordinary Somalis deserve to be echoed in the halls of power. It is high time for the Somali Federal Government to shatter its silence, voice our collective anxieties, and protect our sovereignty. The question remains whether our government will rise to the occasion and effectively safeguard our national interests or will it remain a passive observer of unfolding geopolitical dynamics.
By Hanad Mohamed, Chief Editor, Halqabsi News
