19 February 2024
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – The United Nations Security Council will today discuss the escalating tension between Ethiopia and Somalia, sparked by a contentious agreement signed on January 1st. This pact grants Ethiopia access to a naval base in Somaliland, a self-declared independent region within Somalia, in exchange for potential diplomatic recognition.
Somalia vehemently opposes the deal, viewing it as a violation of its territorial integrity and sovereignty. The Mogadishu government has appealed to the UN Security Council to intervene, highlighting the potential for wider regional instability.
While no open conflict has erupted, diplomatic channels remain strained. Concerns center on several potential consequences further strain on ties could damage regional cooperation and stability, instability may create opportunities for the militant group to expand its influence, trade and development projects could be jeopardized, and scalation could displace civilians and worsen existing humanitarian challenges.
The Security Council, along with the African Union, European Union, and United States, have urged both parties to de-escalate and engage in constructive dialogue. However, the future of the region hinges on whether diplomacy can bridge the widening rift between Ethiopia and Somalia.
