Djibouti’s government has proposed granting Ethiopia exclusive access to one of its ports, a significant diplomatic move aimed at reducing tensions in the Horn of Africa. This offer is seen as a strategic response to Ethiopia’s ongoing pursuit of direct sea access, which has been a longstanding issue since the country became landlocked following Eritrea’s independence in 1991.
Djiboutian Foreign Minister Mahamoud Ali Youssouf revealed this proposal during an interview on the sidelines of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Beijing. He stated that the plan has been submitted to Ethiopian authorities and that Djibouti expects a favorable response soon. The offer includes granting Ethiopia “100% management” of a harbor at Tadjoura, located along Djibouti’s coast. This move, if accepted, could alleviate the strain caused by Ethiopia’s diplomatic efforts to secure access to other ports, such as Somaliland, which has sparked regional disputes.
Earlier this year, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed created a diplomatic row by announcing plans to access a port in Somaliland, a semi-autonomous region of Somalia. Ethiopia’s proposal included a deal where it would gain access to Somaliland’s coastline in exchange for a stake in Ethiopian Airlines. However, Somalia, which claims sovereignty over Somaliland, rejected the idea, seeing it as a breach of territorial integrity.
Djibouti’s offer comes as a potential solution to these mounting tensions. By providing Ethiopia access to Tadjoura, Djibouti aims to restore stability in the region while protecting its strategic interests. The offer could provide Ethiopia with much-needed maritime access without further straining its relations with Somalia.
Djibouti’s role as a mediator in the Horn of Africa has expanded significantly as it deals with multiple crises, including the ongoing civil war in Sudan and escalating attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels on commercial vessels in the Red Sea. As a critical shipping hub, Djibouti sits on one of the world’s most important maritime routes, linking the Red Sea and Suez Canal to the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean. This strategic location has made Djibouti a base for several foreign militaries, including the U.S., China, and Saudi Arabia.
Youssouf, who is also a leading candidate for the position of African Union chairperson, emphasized that Djibouti is committed to easing tensions in the region. “We are in the middle of the storm, and we are trying to do our best to help countries like Sudan and decrease the tension between Somalia and Ethiopia,” he said.
The offer to Ethiopia forms part of Djibouti’s broader strategy to help stabilize the Horn of Africa while protecting its vital maritime interests. In recent years, Djibouti has increasingly positioned itself as a neutral actor in regional disputes. Youssouf mentioned that countries like Turkey have also been involved in attempts to mediate the Somalia-Ethiopia dispute, which intensified after Ethiopia signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Somaliland, further straining relations with Somalia.
Djibouti’s proposal to Ethiopia could potentially mitigate the fallout from the Ethiopia-Somaliland deal, which Somalia views as a violation of its sovereignty. Under the agreement with Somaliland, Ethiopia was set to lease 20 kilometers of shoreline in exchange for recognizing Somaliland’s status. However, Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud rejected this arrangement, offering only commercial access to Ethiopia similar to the arrangements Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi have with other coastal nations.
In light of these regional dynamics, Djibouti’s offer to Ethiopia includes more than just port access; it is a broader effort to preserve the region’s stability and ensure safe navigation through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a key passage for global trade. Djibouti has long been a hub for military bases, hosting forces from France, the U.S., China, and other major powers. However, Youssouf made it clear that the offer to Ethiopia does not include establishing a naval base, noting that Djibouti is already crowded with foreign militaries.
Youssouf further explained that Djibouti had turned down offers from countries like India and Russia to establish additional military bases, emphasizing that the country aims to maintain a conducive environment for the existing foreign forces. “We don’t want to create friction between the countries already present,” he said. “Our goal is to protect the strait of Bab el-Mandeb and ensure the safe passage of ships while fighting illegal activities.”
Djibouti’s role in regional diplomacy and its offer to Ethiopia underline the country’s significance as a key player in the Horn of Africa. The port proposal is rooted in a desire to restore the historically strong relationship between Ethiopia and Somalia while enhancing Ethiopia’s access to maritime trade routes. Youssouf stressed that Djibouti’s primary objective is to support peaceful solutions that benefit the entire region.
As the Horn of Africa continues to face multiple challenges, Djibouti’s offer to Ethiopia could be a significant step towards resolving one of the region’s long-standing issues. The proposal, if accepted, has the potential to defuse tensions between Ethiopia and Somalia, provide Ethiopia with vital access to the sea, and reinforce Djibouti’s status as a key mediator and strategic hub in the region.
Youssouf concluded that he expects to meet with Ethiopian officials soon to finalize the technical aspects of the deal. If successful, this agreement could usher in a new era of cooperation between the two nations and contribute to broader regional stability.
