Somalia Says Ethiopia Can Use Its Ports via Mogadishu Negotiations

Somalia is open to allowing landlocked Ethiopia to utilize its seaports for commercial activities, provided the terms are formally negotiated with the central government in Mogadishu. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud made these statements during an interview with the Al Jazeera news network. He stressed that any port access arrangement must strictly respect Somalia's national sovereignty and territorial integrity. The president emphasized that negotiations must go directly through the federal government rather than regional authorities. This position comes amid ongoing diplomatic discussions and tensions regarding Ethiopia's access to maritime outlets in the Horn of Africa. Mohamud reiterated that commercial trade and port access are welcome, but only under legal frameworks managed by Mogadishu.