Thursday November 23, 2023
The port of Berbera (pictured) is one of the options Ethiopia is exploring
Ethiopia's talks with the self-declared republic of Somaliland about the possibility of using its port in Berbera town are progressing well, state-owned Ethiopian Press Agency (EPA) has posted on Facebook, quoting a government minister.
Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said in October that access to the Red Sea was "a matter of existence" for his country, remarks which raised anxiety in neighbouring countries with coastlines.
Somaliland seceded from Somalia more than 30 years ago, but is not recognised by the African Union (AU) or the UN as an independent state.
Transport and Logistics Minister Alemu Sime briefed a cabinet meeting chaired by Mr Abiy on the talks, EPA reported.
Noting that Ethiopia uses the port in Djibouti for 95% of its imports and exports, the minister said efforts were under way to find alternative ports, and talks for the use of Berbera port were progressing well, EPA added.
Talks with the Kenyan government were also progressing well for the use of Lamu port, EPA reported.