And now turning our attention to the Horn of Africa, where neighboring Ethiopia and Somalia have been gradually restoring their fragile diplomatic ties after a bitter dispute last year. In the latest development, Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has arrived in Somalia today to hold talks with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. Photographs shared by the Somali presidency showed the two leaders shaking hands on the airport tarmac, surrounded by people waving flags of the two neighboring countries.
In a joint statement shared after Abiy Ahmed and Hassan Shiekh Mohamud met, the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation for mutual benefit. They also expressed their commitment to implementing strategic infrastructure projects that ensure sustainable development and economic integration. The high-level meeting comes days after top diplomats from the two neighboring countries held the first round of technical talks in Djibouti that were aimed at resolving their dispute.
Tensions had escalated between the two sides after Ethiopia signed a deal with Somalia’s breakaway region of Somaliland, leasing a port to establish a naval base in exchange for recognition of Somaliland’s independence. However, this irked Somalia, which claimed that the deal infringed on its sovereignty, Mogadishu severed diplomatic ties with Ethiopia by recalling its envoy to Addis Ababa. Somalia also threatened to exclude Ethiopian troops from the new African Union-led peacekeeping mission while strengthening relations with Ethiopia’s foes, Egypt and Eritrea.
However, in December, both countries came to the negotiating table in talks mediated by Türkiye
under the Ankara Declaration. Both sides agreed to engage in constructive dialogue and cooperation, including Mogadishu granting Ethiopia access to the sea under Somalia’s sovereignty. Ever since the signing of the declaration, both countries have taken steps to restore diplomatic ties.
In January, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud visited Addis Ababa in a sign of thawing relations. During his visit, he discussed ways to deepen trade and security cooperation against extremist militant groups. Then this month, in addition to the first round of technical talks, the two countries signed an agreement allowing the deployment of Ethiopian troops as part of the African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia to fight terrorist groups. In March, both sides are scheduled to meet again for the next round of technical talks.
As Ethiopia and Somalia work to heal their diplomatic rift, the road to lasting peace remains challenging. While the renewed dialogue is promising, the real test will be ensuring these agreements lead to stability and peaceful coexistence in the region.
