Berbera, Somaliland — President Muse Bihi Abdi of Somaliland has strongly condemned the recent proposal by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan concerning Ethiopia’s access to the sea. Speaking at a press conference in Berbera, President Bihi rejected the notion that Somalia could represent Somaliland in international affairs or negotiate on its behalf.
“It’s absurd to think Somalia has any real say in the affairs of Somaliland—a sovereign state,” President Bihi stated. He dismissed Fidan’s suggestion that Ethiopia could be granted sea access through a deal with Somalia, emphasizing that such a scenario is as improbable as “the sun rising from the west.”
The proposal by Fidan had suggested that the tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia could be resolved if Ethiopia recognized Somalia’s sovereignty and agreed to terms that would facilitate its access to the sea through Somalia. Fidan’s remarks were seen as an attempt to mediate the ongoing conflict between the two nations.
President Bihi clarified that for Ethiopia to secure sea access, it must engage directly with Somaliland based on the principle of state equality. He highlighted that Somaliland’s position, as outlined in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in January, is that Ethiopia recognizes Somaliland as a sovereign state in exchange for a 20-kilometer sea corridor.
Bihi criticized Turkey’s involvement, suggesting that Turkey’s actions were aimed at protecting what he described as Somalia’s “newly established colony” rather than acknowledging the autonomy and sovereignty of Somaliland.
Mustaqbal
