
“Djibouti has proposed that Ethiopia directly manage the Port of Tadjourah, according to Djibouti’s Foreign Minister, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf. Youssouf stated that this offer is part of efforts to ease tensions in the Horn of Africa and ensure Ethiopia’s access to the sea. The proposal includes Ethiopia managing the port, located about 100 kilometres from its border, and potentially using a newly constructed corridor. Specific terms of the offer were not detailed, but Youssouf reported that Djibouti’s President, Ismail Omar Guelleh, has extended this proposal to facilitate regional stability” (Addis Standard, 31.08.2024).
The ones in power in Djibouti certainly tried to sweeten the deal and make an offer to de-escalate tensions on the Horn of Africa. As the spiralling conflict and possible interference in others sovereign is growing rapid.
The Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Abiy Ahmed Ali have had a wet-dream of a sea-port for ages and running his own Navy. The landlocked Federal Republic has sought out a Port and a Red Sea Connection for the return of the Ethiopian Empire. That’s been in the scope and been in sights for years now.
The rulers of Ethiopia have even sought out an agreement and memorandum of understanding with Hargeisa and the semi-autonomous government of Somaliland. That is directly in conflict with the Federal Government of Somalia in Mogadishu. Villa Somalia and the President of Somalia is losing power and the Ethiopian interference is directly giving leverage to the outpost of Hargeisa.
This is also involving the Egyptian support of Somalia. As well, as the lack of successful talks in Turkey. The stakeholders are all creating a foreplay for another military theatre between Ethiopia and Somalia. As the Egyptian soldiers and that the United Arab Emirates investments are also kept in-tact. This is all business and possible transactions for the benefit of the Head of States. This is why this is playing out.
The Addis Ababa wants to have a hold over and control over Maritime land and no other stakeholders holding oversight of it. That’s why the MoU with Somaliland is important to Abiy. It gives him leverage and power. While the offering of Djibouti is more of the status quo, but with a twist. It holds the transport and the cargo transport through Djibouti as today, but with the secondary status of changing ports within the sovereign.
This is a high stakes game and you can wonder who is winning what. Because at this point Abiy and the Prosperity Party has their dream. They don’t care if they create nightmares or diplomatic disputes. They already started that with the MoU with Somaliland. The FGS said it was “null and void” but we know the parties behind the MoU won’t accept that. These are the beneficiaries of it and will get the perks of it. Therefore, the stalemate is bound to continue, until implementation or armed insurgency happens.
That’s the worry here… as there are movements and bought heavy-arms are transferred. The Ethiopian government has attacked and invaded Somalia before. That’s been for a greater cause or for ceasing the moment. If it was the “war on terror” or ending a dictatorship in Mogadishu. Now, it will be selfish reasons and for personal gains for the Prime Minister, Just so he can get his wet dream and red sea access. That’s more important that furthering instability and conflict in the region.
There is already pushback from Asmara that has claims on lands in Ras Doumeira, but that has never been resolved. There been conflict between Eritrea and Djibouti with foreign mediation after it. Which ceased the armed skirmishes, but the conflict has never been silenced completely. Which means the Asmara leadership still seeks to gain more territory and in its interests to get hold of that. That’s why they are not in favour of seeing Ethiopian government getting a control of land and maritime land within the domain of Djibouti. Especially, when the Eritrean-Djibouti conflict haven’t stopped or the grievances haven’t been met. Therefore, we know this will cause issues too, but only fear-mongering and possibly warning-shots.
Abiy has already several conflicts within Ethiopia. The PM should resolve internal disputes and armed conflicts, which is haunting his Office and reign. He is already humiliated by other militias, which are making a mockery of the ENDF. That’s happening in Amhara and Oromia. His just ceased hostilities in Tigray region. Therefore, his army is already in vast military operations across the republic.
The ENDF doesn’t need another conflict or war. That is what is up and a warlord lavishes on war. He rises on the occasion and feels special issuing the war. Alas, the soldiers are dying as a cause of it and the costs of it is on the people. The war will be costly and the burden will be worsen the economic situation and the financial stability, which is already fragile in Ethiopia.
Abiy isn’t creating stability or peace, but is creating more instability and possibly war. That’s what is up. The Djibouti deal will only favour Djibouti and favour the trade that is currently going between Ethiopia and Djibouti. This is securing the imports and exports going through the same republic. Ensuring the profits and the jobs within Djibouti.
I don’t see the PP or Abiy accepting the Djibouti deal of port. That isn’t sustainable for the wet-dream and the imperial dreams of the Prime Minister. His not getting the whole thing and only partial. Therefore, this won’t help it. The Somalia government would be happy and the such. The Djibouti government would be happy, but we see Eritrea being unhappy. Therefore, it causes another stir and another case of questionable border interference from Asmara.
PM Abiy is leading this and his causing all of it. All for the personal gains and for his ego. That’s who he is… and what we are seeing. While creating more instability and more issues on the Horn of Africa. Peace.









