Ethiopia is making positive strides in discussions with Somaliland regarding potential access to the port in Berbera town, according to a statement by a government minister, as reported by the state-owned Ethiopian Press Agency (EPA) on Facebook.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed emphasized the critical nature of Red Sea access for Ethiopia’s survival back in October, causing concerns among neighboring countries with coastlines.
Somaliland declared its independence over three decades ago, although the African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN) do not officially recognize it as an independent state.
During a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Abiy, Transport and Logistics Minister Alemu Sime provided an update on the ongoing talks, noting that Ethiopia heavily relies on the port in Djibouti for 95% of its imports and exports.
Minister Sime highlighted the efforts to explore alternative ports, revealing that discussions with Somaliland for the use of Berbera port were advancing positively, as mentioned in the EPA report.
The minister also indicated that negotiations with the Kenyan government were progressing well for potential access to Lamu port, offering another avenue for Ethiopia’s trade routes.
As Ethiopia seeks alternatives to its current reliance on Djibouti, these ongoing talks signify a promising development in the nation’s quest for secure and strategic access to the Red Sea.
