Following a deal under which Somaliland has agreed to allow Ethiopia to access Somaliland’s coastline, Ethiopians residing in Somalia and Somaliland have become targets of physical violence, property looting, and menacing threats, according to reports. In Somaliland, Ethiopians have been subjected to looting, destruction, and burning of property and physical assaults, a representative of immigrants and refugees told the BBC.

Ibsa Alisho Habib, an Ethiopian representative of Horn of Africa, East, and Central African immigrants and refugees in Somaliland, informed the BBC that following the signing of the deal, incidents of physical violence against people, looting of Ethiopians’ property, and attempted burning of homes had occurred.

The New Year’s Day deal would allow Ethiopia to lease 20 km around the port of Berbera, on the Gulf of Aden with access to the Red Sea, for 50 years for its navy and commercial purposes. Ethiopia would in return offer the self-declared republic of Somaliland an unspecified stake in state-owned Ethiopian Airlines.

Somalia’s administration has vehemently criticized the sea access deal, and widespread protests have erupted in several Somali cities, condemning the agreement. Somalia called the deal an act of aggression – it considers Somaliland a part of its territory and has vowed to defend its sovereignty.

In Somaliland, there have been demonstrations both in support of and against the deal, leading to protests in some areas.

There has been a growing trend of online calls for attacks on vulnerable refugee and non-refugee Ethiopians residing in Somalia. Abdikarin Eden, the leader of the ‘Party of Hope’ organization, posted a video message on the social network X, suggesting that Ethiopians would be escorted home, accompanied by a picture of a coffin. Furthermore, an online militant named Falis Hashi posted a message claiming that there are more than 500,000 undocumented Oromos in Somalia and called for their expulsion from the country.

“On the day of the agreement signing, people took to the streets to express their joy,” stated Ibsa Alisho in Hargeisa. However, three days later, according to Ibsa, the same crowd that initially expressed happiness began to protest against the deal.

Ibsa mentioned that there have been demonstrations in Burao, the capital of the Togdheer region and the second-largest city in Somaliland, both in support of and in opposition to the deal.

“Three days after the agreement, there was a large rally in the morning supporting the deal and an opposition protest in the evening,” he said, highlighting the area where predominantly the Oromo people lived. He added that “attempts were made to inflict bodily harm on our people, loot property, and set their homes on fire.”

The Ethiopian representative of immigrants and refugees in Somaliland mentioned that, in response to the concerns raised by Ethiopian nationals with Somaliland authorities, a police force was deployed in areas where they reside.

Homes and businesses belonging to Ethiopian nationals have been looted, and properties have been set on fire in the city of Burao, he said. The incident also resulted in injuries to a 70-year-old individual and a five-year-old girl,” according to the representative. Many refugees are now too afraid to go to work or carry out their day-to-day trade, despite having no alternative sources of income. A 12-year-old boy was injured in an attack in Somaliland’s capital, Hargeisa, according to reports.

The refugee representative added that a leaflet in the Somali language reading “Take action against Ethiopians wherever they are found” is being distributed in the city of Hargeisa. This is an exceedingly challenging period for the 40,000 Ethiopian refugees in Somaliland, he said.

Simultaneously, Ethiopian refugees residing in Somalia have voiced safety concerns in the aftermath of the agreement signing and the widespread anger that follows it. Two Ethiopian nationals, who chose not to disclose their names, have expressed that conditions have become highly alarming, although they are uncertain whether there has been any physical harm or damage to property at this point. “Many refugees here are well integrated, speaking Somali and living as Somalis without experiencing discrimination. However, after the signing of the agreement, a noticeable shift occurred. The tone against us has intensified, leaving a sense of terror. We are worried about what is going to happen,” conveyed one of the Ethiopian nationals contacted by the BBC.

Another Ethiopian, now residing in Mogadishu, reported that after the agreement’s signing, numerous demonstrations, especially in the capital, Mogadishu, unfolded, and sentiments of anti-Ethiopian feelings have become apparent in the city. During the demonstrations, slogans were chanted against Somaliland president Muse Bihi Abdi and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed who signed the deal.

The Somaliland deal poses risks for both Ethiopia and Somalia as hostilities are a concern for both nations. While analysts consider war unlikely, there is potential for tensions to escalate further.

Image: A general view of the city of Hargeisa, Somaliland, September 16, 2021. AFP – EDUARDO SOTERAS