Many of the border disputes in Africa stem from the colonial era when European powers divided the continent. Somalia and Eritrea were once Italian colonies, while Britain occupied Somali land. After the end of World War II, the British expelled the Italians, leading to the independence of these countries in the 1960s. Somali land, originally British Somali land, unified with Somalia shortly after gaining independence. This unification, in hindsight, seemed disadvantageous for Somali land, given the disparity in population and political attention between the Italian and British territories.
Somali land’s gained autonomy in 1991 following the overthrow of the Somali dictator Mohammed Siad Barre. The Northern paramilitary group, the Somali National Movement, declared Somali land’s independence, reinstating its borders from the British protectorate era. A 2001 referendum saw a 97% vote in favor of independence, marking Somali land as a stable, autonomous region despite lacking international recognition. It has been a model of stability, conducting five peaceful elections and changing presidents three times. Despite its economic challenges, Somali land has established its own government, currency, passports, police force, license plates, and even a consulate in Washington, D.C. However, it remains unrecognized by both the United Nations and Somalia.
Ethiopia currently faces many Ethiopia challenges due to its landlocked status, especially after Eritrea’s independence in 1993 and the subsequent war between the two nations. Ethiopia’s reliance on Djibouti’s port for over 90% of its external trade has been costly paying an approximate pay $1.5 billion a year in port fees. In addition this relation is risky because it made Ethiopia overly reliant on the port of Djibouti.
On January 1st, Somaliland and Ethiopia reached a significant agreement Memorandum of Understand (MOU) granting Ethiopia access to the port of Berbera and land for a naval base for 50 years. This deal not only provides Ethiopia with much-needed port access but also offers Somaliland tacit diplomatic recognition from the region’s largest country. Furthermore, Ethiopian and Somaliland military officials convened in Addis Ababa on January 2nd, highlighting the strategic and diplomatic depth of this agreement.
The legality and implications of the Ethiopia-Somali land agreement raise questions about sovereignty, territorial integrity, and self-determination under international law. Somali land’s claim to independence, despite lacking formal recognition, and Ethiopia’s strategic move could potentially challenge existing international norms and relationships.