11/01/2025
๐๐ฒ๐ด๐ฒ๐น๐ถ๐ฎ๐ป๐ถ๐๐บ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐
๐ถ๐๐บ ๐ถ๐ป ๐ฆ๐ผ๐บ๐ฎ๐น๐ถ๐ฎโ๐ ๐๐ป๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ป๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐ฎ๐น ๐ฃ๐ผ๐น๐ถ๐ฐ๐: ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐๐ฒ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐ผ๐ป๐ณ๐น๐ถ๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ถ๐ฝ๐น๐ผ๐บ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ป๐ฐ๐ผ๐ป๐๐ถ๐๐๐ฒ๐ป๐ฐ๐
โ๐ฝAlexander Y. Red Nile
Somaliaโs foreign policy appears to be a puzzling exercise in dialectics, reminiscent of the Hegelian and Marxist tradition of thesis, antithesis, and synthesis. At the heart of this contradiction lies the Federal Government of Somaliaโs simultaneous engagement in two seemingly irreconcilable diplomatic moves: participation in an anti-Ethiopia trilateral alliance while pursuing high-level talks with Ethiopia itself.
Thesis: Somalia Joins the Anti-Ethiopia Trilateral Alliance
On January 11, 2025, Somaliaโs Foreign Minister attended a meeting in Cairo as part of a trilateral alliance comprising Somalia, Egypt, and Eritrea. This alliance, formed in response to Ethiopiaโs growing ambitions for Red Sea access, was established after Ethiopia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Somaliland in January 2024. The MoU granted Ethiopia access to the sea in exchange for its recognition of Somaliland as an independent stateโa move that Somalia staunchly opposes.
The trilateral alliance is widely seen as a direct attempt to counter Ethiopiaโs strategic maneuvers. The Cairo meeting focused on fostering closer cooperation among the three nations in economic, security, and political spheres to thwart Ethiopiaโs aspirations for regional dominance. This marked Somaliaโs alignment with countries opposed to Ethiopiaโs growing influence, symbolizing a bold stand against Addis Ababaโs policies.
Antithesis: President Mohamudโs Visit to Addis Ababa
In stark contrast, on the same day, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud arrived in Addis Ababa for talks with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. This visit, officially described as an effort to "strengthen bilateral relations and advance shared priorities," follows the Ankara Agreement, which diffused recent tensions between the two nations.
The Ankara Agreement, brokered by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoฤan, marked a new phase of cooperation between Somalia and Ethiopia. It reversed Somaliaโs earlier position of excluding Ethiopia from the African Union Support Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) and aimed to rebuild trust after months of diplomatic rift triggered by Ethiopiaโs MoU with Somaliland.
Synthesis: A Question Without an Answer
At first glance, these developments suggest a potential synthesisโa balancing of competing interests through strategic maneuvering. However, the coexistence of these contradictory policies has left observers questioning the coherence of Somaliaโs foreign policy. On one hand, Somalia appears to be solidifying an alliance against Ethiopia, while on the other, it engages in reconciliatory talks with the same country.
This contradictory diplomacy has created a sense of inconsistency and confusion. Is Somalia seeking to strengthen ties with Ethiopia or undermine its regional ambitions? The lack of clarity suggests that there is no synthesis yetโonly a precarious juggling act that risks backfiring on all fronts.
Implications of Conflicting Diplomacy
The simultaneous pursuit of these opposing policies highlights significant challenges in Somaliaโs foreign policy strategy:
1. Inconsistency in Alliances: Aligning with Egypt and Eritrea against Ethiopia while engaging in direct talks with Addis Ababa sends mixed signals, undermining Somaliaโs credibility on the international stage.
2. Diplomatic Missteps: Participating in the anti-Ethiopia bloc may alienate Ethiopia, a key player in regional stability and Somaliaโs security partnerships.
3. Internal and External Perception: The contradictory actions may lead to domestic criticism of the governmentโs foreign policy, while regional partners may question Somaliaโs reliability as an ally.
Ultimate Consequences: A Double-Edged Sword
Rather than yielding a productive synthesis, Somaliaโs conflicting diplomacy risks exacerbating tensions with all involved parties. Ethiopia may view Somaliaโs participation in the trilateral alliance as an act of bad faith, while Egypt and Eritrea could see Somaliaโs talks with Ethiopia as a betrayal. This diplomatic tightrope walk could ultimately undermine Somaliaโs strategic goals, leaving it isolated in a volatile region.
In the absence of a coherent synthesis, Somaliaโs foreign policy remains a study in contradictionsโan exercise in total madness that, if not recalibrated, could prove disastrous for its regional standing and national interests.
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