Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Engages in Reconciliation Talks in Somalia
Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed visited Somalia for talks with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, focusing on enhancing reconciliation efforts and addressing security, economic development, and counter-terrorism. Despite a peaceful airport departure, mortar attacks were reported near the airport. The visit follows previous tensions over Ethiopia’s engagement with Somaliland, with the two nations having restored diplomatic ties after a peace agreement.
Ethiopia’s Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed, has arrived in Somalia for discussions with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. The talks, conducted on Thursday, are primarily focused on enhancing fragile ties between the two nations. Areas of concentration include security, political and diplomatic initiatives, economic collaboration, and joint efforts against terrorism, as noted in a statement from the Somali government.
Upon his arrival, security officials confirmed that Prime Minister Abiy’s delegation departed the airport without any reported incidents. Despite this, local residents indicated that mortar attacks occurred in areas near the airport shortly after the delegation’s exit en route to the presidential palace. A representative from the Ethiopian delegation stated that they were unaware of any such attacks.
Tensions had escalated between Somalia and Ethiopia following Ethiopia’s agreement with the breakaway region of Somaliland, which aimed to secure maritime access. However, diplomatic relations were fully restored in January following a peace agreement facilitated by Turkey the previous month. Additionally, a source from the Somali presidential palace commented that Abiy’s visit represents efforts to implement the agreement reached in Ankara.
The arrangement with Somaliland reportedly centered on Ethiopia acknowledging Somaliland’s independence in exchange for a naval base to benefit the landlocked nation. This agreement was met with considerable backlash from Mogadishu, which subsequently recalled its ambassador from Ethiopia, showcasing the complexity of relationships in the region.
In summary, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s visit to Somalia highlights efforts to stabilize relations between the nations following previous tensions exacerbated by territorial agreements with Somaliland. The focus areas for the discussions underscore the need for collaborative action against shared threats and the importance of diplomatic engagement in enhancing regional stability.
Original Source: www.hurriyetdailynews.com