However, Somalia will never accept the establishment of a naval base by Ethiopia, the media reported, citing the Somali foreign minister.

Ali Mohamed Omar added that relevant proposals would be discussed on the condition that they meet Somalia’s national interests, which are the protection of the sovereignty, political independence and unity of the country.

On Friday, a regional maritime treaty was proposed by Kenya, in collaboration with Djibouti and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).

The treaty aims to ease tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia over the latter’s agreement with Somalia’s breakaway region of Somaliland, providing the landlocked nation with access to the Red Sea and allowing to set up a naval base.