The heads of state of an African bloc will meet on Jan. 18 to discuss the worsening diplomatic relations between Ethiopia and Somalia over a disputed sea access deal, and the ongoing fighting in Sudan. Somalia has rejected Ethiopia's Red Sea port deal with Somaliland, calling it “illegitimate,” a threat to good neighborliness, and a violation of its sovereignty. Ethiopia lost its Red Sea ports in the early 1990s after the Eritrean War of Independence, which lasted from 1961 to 1991. The separation resulted in Ethiopia losing direct access to the Red Sea and key ports. The region has also witnessed a conflict in one of its member states, Sudan, that killed thousands and displaced millions.

Source: Ethiopian News January 12, 2024 19:40 UTC