African state rejects neighbor’s request to join naval drills – media

Any unauthorized maritime activity by Ethiopia would contravene international law, Somalia’s defense minister has warned

Somalia has rejected a request from Ethiopia to participate in joint naval exercises within its territorial waters, citing concerns over potential violations of international maritime law and threats to its sovereignty, local media reported Monday.

Ethiopia reportedly expressed interest in the drills at a recent regional meeting in Addis Ababa and submitted a proposal to deploy naval personnel under an African Union-led peacekeeping mission in Somalia. The plan, announced at last week’s Eastern Africa Standby Force summit in Mogadishu, has been seen by Somali officials as part of the landlocked country’s push to secure a foothold in regional waters.

“We do not accept a landlocked country conducting military operations in our waters,” Somali Defense Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi said, according to the Garowe Online news outlet.

“Somalia has full control over its land, air and sea. Any move by Ethiopia to participate in unauthorized naval exercises is contrary to international maritime law and Somalia’s national laws,” the minister added.

READ MORE: Ethiopia to mend relations with neighbor

Ethiopia’s bid to secure Red Sea access has been a source of regional tensions, including a dispute last year with Somalia over a maritime deal signed with the breakaway region of Somaliland. Mogadishu condemned the agreement, which would allow Ethiopia to build a naval base at the port of Berbera, as an act of “aggression” and a threat to its sovereignty.

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Mogadishu considers Somaliland part of its territory, despite the region’s declaration of de facto independence in 1991. In response to the January 2024 pact, the Somali government expelled Ethiopia’s ambassador, ordered the closure of two consulates, and recalled its representative from Addis Ababa.

Relations between the two Horn of Africa nations had only recently begun to improve, following talks mediated by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in December. During the Ankara negotiations, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud agreed to restore diplomatic ties. Both leaders exchanged working visits after pledging to reach a deal that would uphold Somalia’s territorial integrity while granting Ethiopia access to the sea.