Mogadishu, Somalia – The Federal Government of Somalia has formally rejected a request from Ethiopia to participate in joint naval exercises within Somali territorial waters, citing violations of international maritime law and concerns over national sovereignty.
The proposal, reportedly submitted by Ethiopian officials during a recent regional security meeting in Addis Ababa, sought permission to deploy naval personnel as part of an African Union-led peacekeeping initiative in Somalia. Ethiopia also expressed interest in conducting coordinated maritime drills in Somali waters.
In a strongly worded response, Somalia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation dismissed the request, reaffirming the country’s full authority over its maritime territory.
“The Government of Somalia categorically rejects any foreign military deployment or naval operation within its sovereign waters without prior approval. Allowing such activities would constitute a serious breach of our territorial integrity and undermine ongoing efforts to strengthen our national defense institutions,” read part of the statement.
Somalia emphasized that any foreign military cooperation must be carried out in line with its constitution, international law, and under the guidance of the Somali government. It warned that unauthorized military deployments—whether under bilateral or multilateral frameworks—could escalate tensions and destabilize the region.
The rejection comes amid heightened diplomatic friction between Mogadishu and Addis Ababa following Ethiopia’s controversial January 1st memorandum of understanding with Somaliland, a breakaway region of Somalia. The MoU, which included provisions for Ethiopian access to the Red Sea, was condemned by the Somali government as a blatant encroachment on its sovereignty.
Political analysts view the naval exercise proposal as a continuation of Ethiopia’s attempts to expand its maritime reach, despite being a landlocked country since 1993. Somalia, meanwhile, has been working to rebuild and modernize its own maritime forces with support from international partners, including Türkiye, the European Union, and the United States.
The AU has not issued a formal response to Ethiopia’s proposal or Somalia’s rejection. However, sources indicate that AU officials are reviewing the matter with sensitivity, given its potential implications for regional peace and cooperation.
This latest development underscores the fragile state of Horn of Africa diplomacy, where unresolved disputes over borders, port access, and military cooperation continue to strain interstate relations.