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Ethiopia has reached a significant agreement to utilize the Berbera port in Somalia's breakaway region of Somaliland, marking a "historic" move aimed at expanding the landlocked nation's access to crucial sea channels for shipping, officials announced on Monday.
The agreement, signed in Addis Ababa by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Somaliland leader Muse Bihi Abdi, underscores Ethiopia's strategic push to assert its right to access the Red Sea. As Africa's second most populous country, Ethiopia has been actively seeking avenues to enhance its maritime connectivity, raising concerns among neighboring nations.
Situated on the southern coast of the Gulf of Aden, Berbera holds strategic importance as it serves as an African base at the gateway to the Red Sea and provides access further north to the Suez Canal. The memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Ethiopia and the Somaliland government, based in Hargeisa, signifies a pivotal step in fostering regional partnerships and facilitating Ethiopia's maritime ambitions.
While the move is celebrated as historic, it also comes amid geopolitical considerations and potential implications for regional dynamics. As Ethiopia expands its reach to key maritime routes, the development is likely to be closely monitored by neighboring countries and international observers. The agreement reflects the evolving landscape of strategic alliances and economic interests in the Horn of Africa, with the utilization of Berbera port offering Ethiopia a vital gateway to the Red Sea and beyond.
