15 Feb 2024
Since Ethiopia and Somaliland signed a controversial agreement granting Ethiopia access to the Red Sea through a Berbera port lease, Ethiopian refugees and migrants in Somalia have reported increased threats, intimidation, and violence.
Six Ethiopians, including five women, were killed in an al-Shabaab attack in Beled Hawo, allegedly fueled by nationalist sentiment surrounding the deal.
Ethiopian refugees in Bosaso face verbal threats and discrimination, with some customers refusing to buy from them due to anger over the agreement.
Experts warn that refugees should not be scapegoated for political disputes and urge authorities to protect their basic rights, including freedom of movement and access to essential services.
Somali scholars highlight the hypocrisy of targeting Ethiopian refugees while Somalis themselves have sought refuge in other countries.
The agreement, signed on New Year’s Eve, allows Ethiopia 50-year use of Berbera port for commercial and military purposes.
Somalia’s government strongly condemns the deal, considering Somaliland a breakaway region, and vows to protect its sovereignty.
Al-Shabaab militants also denounce the agreement, potentially using it to garner support through nationalist rhetoric.
With tensions rising, many fear the safety of Ethiopian refugees in Somaliland and Puntland, where many reside due to proximity to the Red Sea.
Calls for international intervention and protection for vulnerable populations are growing amid concerns about the escalating situation.
