According to sources within the Somaliland presidency, President Irro is seeking a “first-hand discussion” with PM Abiy on the MoU signed on 1 January 2024 between Ethiopia and Somaliland.

The agreement, signed under former President Muse Bihi Abdi, granted Ethiopia a 50-year lease on a stretch of Somaliland’s coastline on the Gulf of Aden in exchange for potential recognition of Somaliland’s independence — a move that triggered strong opposition from Somalia’s federal government in Mogadishu.

“President Irro is committed to securing Somaliland’s full international recognition — nothing less than that,” an aide to the president, who requested anonymity, told our reporter. “He wants clarity and direct engagement with the Ethiopian leadership before moving forward.”

The MoU, which remains pending implementation, has been a central focus of Irro’s early diplomatic efforts since taking office.

Last month, during a visit to neighbouring Djibouti, Irro held discussions with Ethiopian diplomats led by Kebede Abera Ido, Ethiopia’s Deputy Ambassador to Djibouti.

Their talks covered regional security, Red Sea maritime access, trade corridors, and investment opportunities.

“The President discussed with the Ambassadors the development of the region’s economy, investment opportunities, trade facilitation, infrastructure, and increased humanitarian aid,” said Hussein Aden Ige, spokesperson for the Somaliland presidency, in a May statement.

Deputy Ambassador Kebede confirmed Ethiopia’s interest in deepening cooperation with Somaliland, particularly in areas of trade and security.

Ethiopia, a landlocked nation, has long sought alternative routes for sea access to enhance its import and export capabilities.

In a sign of intensifying international outreach, President Irro also met with foreign diplomats in Nairobi last week, where he reiterated Somaliland’s longstanding call for international recognition.

“We have not come to Nairobi today with a begging bowl,” Irro told the gathering. “We are not looking for handouts. We are here to build genuine partnerships with governments, investors, and institutions that understand the value of mutual benefit.”

Among many Somalilanders, hopes remain high that Ethiopia’s engagement could be a breakthrough toward international recognition, a goal that has eluded the self-declared republic since its separation from Somalia in 1991.

Irro’s administration appears determined to capitalise on this momentum, even amid diplomatic tensions with Mogadishu.

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The federal parliament’s bicameral houses have been in recess since December, with lawmakers originally expected to resume on February 1, 2025.

However, parliamentary sources and opposition MPs told Kaab TV that the Speaker of the House is unable to commence the session due to an overwhelming impeachment motion against Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre and President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

According to sources within the Office of the Speaker of the Lower House (People’s House), Speaker Aden Mohamed Nur (Aden Madobe) is deeply concerned about the growing number of MPs supporting the impeachment motion, which could lead to instability if the parliament reconvenes.

“The Speaker is trying to resolve the matter before any session is opened. That is why the parliamentary session has been delayed,” said the source.

Opposition MPs, speaking anonymously, warned that over 200 MPs are prepared to take countermeasures if Speaker Madobe does not open the parliament or allow the impeachment motion to be discussed.

One possible course of action, according to the MPs, involves starting a parallel parliamentary session in a safer location within the country.

Such a move could set the stage for a parallel process ahead of the 2026 elections, as the current administration’s term is set to end in May 2026.

The MPs are accusing the Prime Minister and President of serious constitutional violations, corruption, and human rights abuses, and are demanding their removal from office.

Both Jubaland and Puntland have reportedly endorsed the impeachment motion.

A source at Villa Somalia, the President’s office, revealed that President Hassan Sheikh has been working to defuse the situation, possibly by negotiating the removal of the Prime Minister and bringing in a new candidate.

One potential successor is Dr. Mohamed Ahmed Doodishe, the former Minister of Internal Security, who is from the same Daarood clan as the current Prime Minister.

According to the 2012 Provisional Constitution of Somalia, the House of the People is required to hold two regular sessions each year, each lasting a minimum of four months.

In March 2024, the parliament amended the constitution to extend the parliamentary term from four to five years, effective from the current legislature that began in April 2022.

If parliamentary sessions are overdue, it may be due to extraordinary circumstances, including political instability, security concerns, or logistical challenges.

In such cases, the Speaker of the House of the People may call for an extraordinary session, or at least 20% of the members can request one in writing.

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However, with concerted efforts by the region’s states, this vital corridor can emerge as a global model for collaboration and shared progress, driven and sustained by its own people.

The Red Sea and Gulf of Aden represent one of the world’s most strategically significant maritime corridors.

Spanning from the Suez Canal to the Arabian Sea, they are a vital artery of global trade, carrying 10–15% of the world’s commerce, including critical oil exports, and accounting for 30% of global container shipping volumes.

Yet, this critical waterway remains fraught with competing interests, vulnerabilities, external intervention, and untapped potential.

A Regional Imperative for Maritime Cooperation

Ethiopia, a one-time Red Sea country, and now the most populous landlocked country in the region after separation from Eritrea, requires the urgent need for sustainable, cooperative maritime access. Its reliance on Djibouti’s ports is essential but insufficient for its growing needs. Broadening this access through regional collaboration with Eritrea, Kenya, and Somalia could establish a more resilient and diversified framework.

Djibouti’s commitment to accommodating Ethiopia’s maritime needs, Somalia’s offer of sea access, and initiatives such as the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) Corridor reflect a promising spirit of regional cooperation.

These efforts must evolve into a broader framework that includes shared infrastructure, streamlined customs systems, and joint economic zones to benefit the entire region. In the long run, such a framework will lay a strong basis for regional economic integration too.

However, the durability of these efforts depends on the principle of regional ownership. External actors should support, not dictate, the region’s path forward. External solutions imposed without the consent and leadership of regional states risk exacerbating tensions and undermining the sustainability of progress.

The Red Sea Arena: Strength Through Unity

Eritrea, Djibouti, Sudan, and Somalia are central to the stability, or instability, of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. As stewards of this critical maritime corridor, these nations must lead the effort to create an inclusive and balanced framework for governance and cooperation.

Djibouti, Eritrea, Somalia, and Sudan, with their strategic positions hold immense potential to foster multilateral collaboration rather than pursue unilateral advantages.

Somalia’s recovery, though fragile, requires robust support to strengthen its maritime governance and institutional capacities.

Sudan, grappling with internal conflict, must be guided back to stability to ensure its constructive participation in the region’s future.

The Arabian Peninsula countries and Israel have an essential role to play, particularly in fostering a cooperative security environment.

Yet, external interventions by actors such as the UAE, Russia, and Iran have at times amplified tensions and rivalries.

To prevent the Red Sea from becoming a battleground for proxy conflicts, the region must assert its authority, prioritising collective interests over external agendas.

A Framework for Shared Prosperity

The establishment of a shared maritime framework is not merely an aspiration, it is an urgent necessity.

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), with its ongoing efforts to mobilise political and diplomatic support for its Red Sea and Gulf of Aden initiative, is uniquely positioned to lead this process. Working in synergy with the African Union, the United Nations, and other international partners, IGAD can help unify diverse interests and institutionalise cooperation.

However, this framework must be rooted in regional ownership. Solutions must emerge from within the region, reflecting its unique challenges and opportunities. International partners should serve as enablers, providing technical expertise, resources, and support without imposing their agendas.

A Vision for Collective Security and Development

The Red Sea and Gulf of Aden are at a crossroads. The future of this critical maritime corridor must be guided by principles of cooperation, inclusion, and multilateralism. The region’s states must seize this moment to define a shared vision, one that secures maritime access, fosters economic development, and ensures the security of one of the world’s most vital waterways.

The stakes are too high to allow fragmentation or external domination to prevail. Eritrea, Djibouti, Somalia, Sudan, Ethiopia, and their neighbours must come together to chart their course forward.

The Red Sea’s future depends on the collective will of its people to build a sustainable and enduring legacy, one owned and safeguarded by the region itself. Only through regional leadership and unity can the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden fulfil their potential as a beacon of cooperation in a challenging world.

—

Nuur Mohamud Sheekh, a diplomatic and geopolitical analyst based in London, is a former Spokesperson of the IGAD Executive Secretary. Follow on@NuursViews. He can be reached at nuur.ms@gmail.com

The post Op-ed: Initiatives for Cooperation in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden Must Be Regionally-Led appeared first on Kaab TV.