Ethiopian Defence Minister’s Visit to Somalia: A Step Towards Diplomatic Resolution
Ethiopian Defence Minister Aisha Mohammed Mussa visited Somalia, marking the first bilateral engagement since tensions escalated over a naval base agreement with Somaliland. The visit aims to improve relations as both parties agreed to initiate negotiations to resolve their disputes. Ethiopia’s military presence in Somalia is crucial for regional stability in combating Al-Shabaab insurgents.
On Thursday, Ethiopia’s Defence Minister, Aisha Mohammed Mussa, visited Somalia in what appears to be a significant step towards improving the strained bilateral relations between the two nations. This visit marks the first contact since tensions escalated a year prior due to Ethiopia’s proposal to establish a naval base in the autonomous Somaliland region, which Somalia perceives as a direct threat to its territorial integrity.
Somalia’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ali Omar, confirmed the minister’s visit to Reuters but did not elaborate on the specifics of the discussions. The Ethiopian government has not provided further commentary regarding this diplomatic move. Notably, Ethiopia maintains a considerable military presence in Somalia, with approximately 10,000 troops aimed at combating the Al-Shabaab terrorist group. However, Mogadishu has warned that it may expel the Ethiopian forces unless Ethiopia abandons its controversial agreement with Somaliland, which involves a potential recognition of Somaliland’s independence.
The deal struck last year involved Somaliland leasing coastal land to Ethiopia for the construction of a naval base and commercial port. Despite having been autonomously self-governing since 1991, Somaliland’s claims of independence remain unrecognized by the international community. The escalating tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia prompted both parties to undertake diplomatic measures, culminating in a commitment made on December 11 in Turkey to find a collaborative resolution to their disputes and initiate technical negotiations by the end of February.
The presence of Ethiopian troops in Somalia is part of a broader African Union peacekeeping initiative, highlighting the importance of their role in combatting Al-Shabaab, which has posed a grave threat since its insurgency began in 2007. The potential withdrawal of these troops raises alarm among regional observers, who fear that it could destabilize the ongoing fight against terrorism. Additionally, rising tensions from the Somaliland deal have driven Somalia to strengthen ties with regional adversaries of Ethiopia, namely Egypt and Eritrea, further complicating the political landscape in the Horn of Africa.
This article discusses the recent diplomatic visit of Ethiopian Defence Minister Aisha Mohammed Mussa to Somalia, a significant occurrence given the recent history of strained relations between the two nations due to Ethiopia’s naval base plans in Somaliland. The geopolitical dynamics of the region are affected by Ethiopia’s military presence in Somalia and the historical context of Somaliland’s push for independence, which complicates the relations between the countries involved. The background is essential in understanding both the immediate implications of the visit and the broader regional stability concerns.
In summary, the visit of Ethiopia’s Defence Minister to Somalia symbolizes a potential thaw in relations after a year marked by tension over controversial military agreements. Both nations have publicly committed to diplomatic dialogue aimed at resolving their differences. The situation remains tenuous, as regional stability is closely tied to the actions of both Ethiopia and Somalia, particularly in their ongoing conflict with Al-Shabaab and relationships with rival nations.
Original Source: www.newarab.com
