Addis Ababa, October 3, 2026 (FMC) — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said Mogadishu does not object to Ethiopia accessing the sea, while stressing that Somalia has “very good” relations with Addis Ababa.
Speaking in an interview with Al Jazeera, President Hassan said landlocked African countries have access to the sea, noting that the Red Sea is among the seas surrounding Africa.
He said there are “always standards, ways to reach” the sea and expressed hope that universally accepted standards would be followed.
President Hassan described the Red Sea as “a very, very important and strategic sea,” saying it concerns Somalia’s economy and security.
He said countries bordering the Red Sea and those with security concerns regarding the maritime corridor have to understand each other.
The Somali President said Somalia would not support violence or violations of the sovereignty of any country.
He also said countries with issues should “sit together, dialogue, and agree on,” rather than use force.
President Hassan said he did not expect there would be a war in the region, adding that Somalia’s position was clear.
It is noteworthy that President Hassan visited Ethiopia a few days ago for bilateral talks with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, where the two leaders discussed issues of mutual interest