Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed visited Somalia to strengthen diplomatic ties amid tensions over Somaliland. The leaders discussed peace, security, and terrorism. Local reports of mortar fire near the airport during the visit raised concerns, though no incidents were reported. The visit aims to reinforce relations following a prior agreement with Somaliland that angered Mogadishu.
Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed visited Somalia on Thursday to solidify diplomatic ties after recent tensions concerning a separatist region. During a meeting with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, the leaders engaged in discussions about peace, security, economic cooperation, diplomacy, and infrastructure projects. The Somali government also highlighted the need to address regional terrorism in their agenda.
While the Ethiopian delegation was en route to the presidential palace, local sources reported mortar fire near Mogadishu airport. It remains unclear whether these attacks were connected to Prime Minister Abiy’s visit; however, security personnel assured that the delegation departed without incident. Somalia’s security conditions remain precarious due to the ongoing threat of the Islamist group Al-Shabab.
The relationship between Ethiopia and Somalia has been strained since Ethiopia forged an agreement with Somaliland, a breakaway region, for maritime access. Despite the tensions, both nations declared a full restoration of diplomatic relations in January, following negotiations facilitated by Turkey. A joint statement from both governments affirmed that the recent visit contributed to the normalization of bilateral relations.
Post-meeting, Prime Minister Abiy emphasized the necessity of regional collaboration, stating, “Regional thinking and collaboration are essential, and we are ready to work with Somalia to make this a reality.” The visit is viewed as a pivotal step towards fulfilling the Ankara agreement, as reported by an anonymous source from the Somali presidential palace.
The January agreement purportedly would have led to Ethiopia’s recognition of Somaliland’s independence in exchange for establishing a long-sought naval base for Ethiopia; however, Mogadishu expressed outrage, resulting in the recall of its ambassador from Ethiopia. The implications of Ethiopia’s arrangement with Somaliland now remain uncertain following the recent diplomatic rapprochement.
The visit of Ethiopia’s Prime Minister to Somalia marks an effort to mend ties after previous diplomatic tensions related to Somaliland. Discussions focused on cooperative endeavors regarding security, economics, and combating terrorism. Despite an unstable security situation, both countries are committed to enhancing their bilateral relationship, although the potential impact of Ethiopia’s agreement with Somaliland remains a concern for Mogadishu.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
