Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has said Mogadishu does not oppose Ethiopia gaining commercial access to the sea through Somali territory, but stressed that any arrangement must respect Somalia's sovereignty and be negotiated directly between the two countries.

Speaking to Al Jazeera, Mohamud said relations between Somalia and Ethiopia were currently in a good state and that Mogadishu was open to discussions on allowing Ethiopia to use Somali ports for imports and exports.

"Somalia has no objection to Ethiopia gaining access to the sea through Somali territory," he said, recognising Ethiopia's growing need for maritime access because it relies on neighbouring coastal nations for international trade. "We want Ethiopia to have a seaport for commercial purposes," Mohamued emphasised, adding that Ethiopia could potentially use "one, two or three" Somali ports.

Ethiopia yet to formally request sea access: Mohamud

According to the president, Mogadishu and Addis Ababa could negotiate commercial terms, including tariffs, fees, and other arrangements.

Mohamud, however, clarified that Ethiopia had not yet formally presented Somalia with a concrete proposal setting out the type of access it was seeking.

"Until today, Ethiopia has told us it needs a seaport, but it has not approached us," he said.

The president also referred to international law governing relations between landlocked and coastal countries, saying any agreement would have to comply with established rules under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Ankara Declaration

His remarks reinforce Mogadishu's distinction between commercial access to Somali ports and any arrangement that could undermine Somalia's sovereignty or territorial integrity.

The issue has been a major source of tension since Ethiopia signed a memorandum of understanding with the breakaway region of Somaliland in January 2024, reportedly seeking maritime access in exchange for recognition of Somaliland.

Somalia rejected the agreement as a violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Türkiye subsequently mediated between Mogadishu and Addis Ababa.

In December 2024, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hosted Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in Ankara, where the two sides adopted the Ankara Declaration.

Respect for each other's sovereignty

The declaration reaffirmed their commitment to sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence, while establishing a framework for pursuing mutually beneficial commercial arrangements that would provide Ethiopia with secure maritime access under Somalia's sovereign authority.

President Mohamud's latest comments suggest Mogadishu is committed to addressing Ethiopia's maritime needs through bilateral negotiations.