Ethiopia has concluded a four-day regional maritime security conference attended by representatives from Somaliland and Puntland, alongside delegations from Yemen, Oman and Djibouti. However, Somalia’s Federal Government was not invited and was absent from the published list of participants.
The conference, held from October 26 to 29, was organized by the Ethiopian Navy in collaboration with the European Union. Discussions focused on maritime search and rescue operations, regional security coordination, information sharing and preparations for joint operations. Ethiopian Navy Commander Admiral Kinde Gezu attended the closing ceremony.
The participation of representatives from Somaliland and Puntland, while no delegation from Mogadishu appeared on the list, raises questions about Somalia’s representation in regional maritime security initiatives and the Federal Government’s role in coordinating the country’s maritime interests.
The conference comes amid longstanding disagreements between Mogadishu and Addis Ababa over maritime access, Somalia’s sovereignty and the memorandum of understanding signed between Ethiopia and Somaliland in January 2024.
As a landlocked country, Ethiopia has been seeking a greater role in regional maritime affairs, particularly in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
The absence of Somalia’s Federal Government from the conference highlights questions surrounding the country’s representation in regional maritime discussions and the coordination of its position on maritime affairs.
