My article aligns closely with the current geopolitical and diplomatic realities in the Horn of Africa. What will be the direction of Ethiopia’s maritime access if the USA and EU countries fully support Ethiopia’s legitimate maritime aspirations through peaceful and diplomatic channels?
Two Maritime Corridors: Red Sea vs. Gulf of Aden
- Red Sea Route (via Eritrea – Assab Port)
- Obstacle: The Eritrean government under President Isaias Afwerki is deeply distrustful of Ethiopia and has rejected diplomatic overtures. Current Status: No formal peace agreement or strategic trust between Asmara and Addis Ababa.
- Realistic Outcome:
- Peaceful access is unrealistic.
- Any attempt to push through could trigger military conflict, which the international community especially the US and EU, want to avoid. USA and EU will not support war or coercion for port access.
- Gulf of Aden Route (via Republic of Somaliland – Berbera Port)
- Advantages:
Politically stable and strategically located. Somaliland has a functioning government, secure ports, and democratic institutions. Berbera is already expanding with DP World’s investment.
Somaliland has clearly stated it will not allow military or strategic port use unless it gets full international recognition in return.All negotiations must go directly through Hargeisa, not Mogadishu. Any attempt to bypass Somaliland will fail.
Eritrea is uncooperative and unpredictable. Somalia (Villa Somalia) lacks control and international credibility over Somaliland’s territory. Somaliland is open to strategic cooperation but only through reciprocal recognition.
The most viable and peaceful path for Ethiopia, with backing from the U.S., EU, and potentially other global powers, is through the Republic of Somaliland via the Gulf of Aden (Berbera).
Ethiopia and its partners must formally consider recognizing Somaliland or establishing a special diplomatic status.
This would unlock peaceful, legal, and strategic access to Berbera. All maritime negotiations must occur exclusively with the Somaliland government.
Villa Somalia’s claims are legally and practically invalid and should be diplomatically sidestepped.
US & EU Role, must support Ethiopia’s maritime access by mediating recognition and agreements with the Republic of Somaliland and encourage other African and Arab nations to support peaceful recognition of Somaliland’s sovereignty as a geostrategic stabiliser.
Summary
Ethiopia, a landlocked nation with a population exceeding 120 million, has a legitimate and urgent aspiration to secure maritime access to fuel its economic growth and regional integration. The two realistic options are:
Red Sea (via Eritrea): Strategically blocked due to Eritrea’s isolationist policies.
Gulf of Aden (via the Republic of Somaliland): Viable, peaceful, and strategically sound but contingent upon formal diplomatic recognition or equivalent status for the Republic of Somaliland.
The United States and the European Union have expressed support for Ethiopia’s peaceful maritime ambitions. This memo provides a realistic roadmap to achieving this through direct diplomacy with Somaliland while bypassing the legally and practically irrelevant role of Villa Somalia. To establish legal, secure, and diplomatically sustainable maritime access for Ethiopia via the Port of Berbera under a mutual agreement with the Republic of Somaliland, with the facilitation of the U.S. and EU.
Engineer Abdi Ali Barkhad
Engineer Barkhad is a Somali Electrical engineer, political analyst, and writer known for his in-depth commentary on the politics of the Horn of Africa and international relations. He has published numerous articles analysing current policies in the region and is a strong advocate for the cause of the Republic of Somaliland.
ENG.ABDI ALI BARKHAD: Hargeisa Somaliland Contact E: Mail: tra50526@gmail.com 5/6/2025
The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Araweelo News Network.
Follow us or Like on Facebook@AraweeloNews
Follow us on Twitter@Araweelonews
Follow us on /instagram@araweelonews
Follow us on TikTok / Tiktok.com/@araweelonews
Follow us on /araweelonews.tumblr.com
Join our Telegram Channel https://t.me//araweelonews
https://mursaljamasspace.quora.com/
YouTube channel for more videos: https://www.youtube.com/c/AraweeloTv
Join the conversation. Follow us on X (Formerly Twitter) @araweelonews to get the Latest news headlines from the horn of Africa, Somaliland, Somalia, Djibouti, Eritrea, Kenya, and Ethiopia. News, Political, Commentary, Features, Social Affairs, Culture, Health & Education and Human Rights issues.updates regularly. Subscribe to @AraweeloTv/videosYouTube channel AraweeloTv To share information or for submission, send e-mail to e-mail info@araweelonews.com
www.araweelonews.com
www.araweelonews.net
www.araweelonews.com/archi/