Ethiopian Prime Minister Visits Somalia to Rebuild Diplomatic Relations

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed met with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in Mogadishu to discuss improving diplomatic relations, strained by Ethiopia’s agreement with Somaliland. The leaders emphasized bilateral cooperation and began technical discussions in Turkey. Despite ongoing tensions, a renewed commitment to each nation’s sovereignty and regional stability was underscored, alongside an agreement for the participation of Ethiopian troops in the African Union mission in Somalia.

On Thursday, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed visited Mogadishu for discussions with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in an effort to restore relations that had been strained by Ethiopia’s negotiations with Somaliland, an autonomous region of Somalia. The Ethiopian leader’s arrival in the Somali capital coincided with heightened security measures by Somali forces and African Union peacekeepers at Aden Ade International Airport and the surrounding areas. To ensure a warm welcome, Ethiopian flags adorned the airport where the Somali National Music Band and traditional dancers performed.

After their meeting, Abiy and Mohamud released a joint statement expressing their commitment to enhancing bilateral cooperation for mutual benefit. They underscored that their countries share an interdependent relationship with a unified vision for regional stability and prosperity. This visit is part of ongoing engagements aimed at normalizing relations, particularly in light of technical discussions initiated in Turkey related to Ethiopia’s agreement with Somaliland.

According to the deal, Ethiopia would gain 20 kilometers of seaside access in Somaliland in exchange for recognizing the breakaway region. Despite Somaliland’s semi-independent status since 1991, it remains unrecognized internationally, mainly due to Somalia’s opposition. Details about the agreement remain undisclosed, although the Somali government has hinted at plans for Ethiopia to establish a naval base.

Notably, after months of escalating tensions, an agreement mediated by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in December reaffirmed both nations’ respect for each other’s sovereignty. This agreement includes provisions for Somalia to grant Ethiopia access to a commercial port, with specific discussions ongoing between the two states. However, Ethiopia’s engagement with Somaliland remains intact, complicating the situation further.

In January, President Mohamud made a surprise visit to Addis Ababa, which analysts interpret as a confidence-building measure ahead of President Erdogan’s planned visit to both Somalia and Ethiopia later this year. “Somalia and Ethiopian leaders need to build confidence and encourage the technical talks aimed at reaching a potential agreement that upholds Somalia’s territorial integrity while allowing Ethiopia access to the sea under the Ankara Agreement” – Virginia-based analyst Abdiqafar Abdi Wardhere.

Additionally, an Ethiopian delegation led by military chief Field Marshal Birhanu Jula and intelligence chief Redwan Hussien met with Somali officials, resulting in an agreement for Ethiopian troops to participate in the new African Union mission in Somalia, designated as AUSSOM.

The recent visit of Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to Somalia marks a significant step towards repairing strained relations following Ethiopia’s controversial agreement with Somaliland. Both leaders expressed a commitment to cooperation, emphasizing their interdependence and shared goals for regional stability. As discussions continue over Ethiopia’s naval access and technical arrangements, these diplomatic engagements aim to foster mutual respect and stability in the region.

Original Source: www.voanews.com