President Hassan Sheikh: Somalia Will Not Hinder Ethiopia from Accessing a Seaport

The President of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, has stated that the relationship between Somalia and Ethiopia is good, noting that Somalia does not oppose Ethiopia obtaining a maritime route for its trade and economic interests, but this matter should come through an official agreement between the two countries.

President Hassan Sheikh, in an interview with Al Jazeera, stated that Somalia is ready to provide Ethiopia with the opportunity to benefit from Somalia's maritime routes, while respecting the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of the country.

This statement comes at a time when the relationship between Somalia and Ethiopia has previously experienced strong disputes, especially following the preliminary agreement reached between Ethiopia and Somaliland in early 2024, which the Somali government strongly opposed, describing it as a violation of Somalia's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

However, the two governments later took steps to ease the tension, agreeing that existing disputes should be resolved through dialogue and diplomatic means.

The President of Somalia emphasized that Mogadishu does not oppose Ethiopia's need for a maritime route, but the use of Somalia's ports and coasts requires an agreement that both sides fully agree upon.

President Hassan Sheikh's remarks indicate that Somalia views the issue of Ethiopia's maritime access as something that can be achieved through cooperation and a governmental agreement, rather than a unilateral action without the consent of the Somali government.

Ethiopia, a landlocked country, has long sought a maritime route to bolster its trade and regional connectivity, while Somalia on its part insists that any agreement on the matter must be based on respect for sovereignty and international laws.