The Horn of Africa has long been a theatre of rivalry, and Ethiopia’s quest for maritime access has been central to its geopolitical strategies. Since losing its coastline after Eritrea’s independence in 1993, Ethiopia has faced significant challenges as a landlocked nation. While critical, the dependency on Djibouti for maritime trade left Ethiopia vulnerable to high costs, logistical inefficiencies, and the geopolitical sway of its smaller neighbour. Seeking to mitigate these vulnerabilities, Ethiopia ventured into alternatives like Somaliland, whose strategic port of Berbera offers an enticing trade route....