Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmed Visits Somalia to Restore Bilateral Relations
Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed visited Somalia to strengthen relations between the two nations, compromised by a contentious deal on sea access with Somaliland. The leaders convened in Mogadishu, reaffirming their commitment to enhancing cooperation. They welcomed the initiation of technical talks in Turkey to resolve the standoff regarding the Somaliland agreement while discussing Ethiopian participation in the African Union mission in Somalia.
On Thursday, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed visited Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in Mogadishu, as both nations work towards repairing their relationship, which has been negatively impacted by Ethiopia’s agreement regarding sea access with Somaliland—a region Somalia claims. During Abiy’s arrival, enhanced security measures were implemented around Aden Ade International Airport, and the area experienced significant traffic restrictions. Traditional dancers welcomed the Prime Minister, with Ethiopian flags prominently displayed around the airport.
The two leaders subsequently convened at the presidential palace, where they issued a joint statement emphasizing their commitment to fostering cooperation for mutual benefits. They noted, “This visit follows consecutive engagements over the past few months and reinforces the normalization of bilateral relations between the two nations.” Both leaders recognized the interdependence of Ethiopia and Somalia and their shared aspirations for regional stability and prosperity.
Additionally, they welcomed the initiation of technical discussions in Turkey focused on resolving the existing tensions surrounding the Ethiopian-Somaliland agreement. Under the deal, Ethiopia aims to lease 20 kilometers of Somaliland’s coast for 50 years in exchange for recognizing Somaliland diplomatically. Despite Somaliland’s self-governance since 1991, no country has acknowledged its independence chiefly due to Somalia’s opposition.
While the specifics of the agreement remain undisclosed, the Somali government has expressed concerns over Ethiopia’s intentions to establish a naval base. Following months of diplomatic strain, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan facilitated a December agreement that affirms both countries’ respect for each other’s sovereignty, alongside an agreement entitling Ethiopia access to a commercial port. Yet, Ethiopia has not officially withdrawn from the Somaliland agreement.
In January, President Mohamud’s unexpected trip to Addis Ababa demonstrated ongoing diplomatic engagement. Analysts suggest that such high-profile interactions are designed to build confidence before President Erdogan’s anticipated visit to both Somalia and Ethiopia later this year. As analyst Abdiqafar Abdi Wardhere noted, “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.”
In a separate development, an Ethiopian military delegation led by Field Marshal Birhanu Jula and intelligence chief Redwan Hussien convened with Somali officials to finalize an agreement for Ethiopian troop involvement in the new African Union mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).
The visit of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to Somalia marks a significant step towards restoring bilateral relations between Ethiopia and Somalia. Despite tensions surrounding the Somaliland agreement, both nations are taking proactive measures through dialogue and engagement to ensure regional stability and cooperation. The anticipated technical discussions in Turkey and the agreement for Ethiopian troop participation in AUSSOM underscore the commitment to a peaceful partnership.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
