Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmed visited Somalia, ending year-long tensions over Ethiopia’s MoU with Somaliland. He met with Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to discuss peace, security, and economic cooperation. Despite improved relations, security threats from Al-Shabaab and ongoing challenges with Eritrea persist.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed visited Somalia on Thursday, marking the conclusion of year-long tensions stemming from Ethiopia’s Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Somaliland. This visit followed prior meetings in Addis Ababa, laying the groundwork for enhancing bilateral relations. Discussions between Abiy Ahmed and President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud focused on key areas such as peace, security, economic cooperation, diplomacy, and infrastructure development opportunities.
The Ankara Agreement, facilitated by Turkey in December 2023, was pivotal in easing hostilities between Ethiopia and Somalia, which had increased following Ethiopia’s MoU with Somaliland, a self-declared independent region. The Somali government argued that this agreement undermined its sovereignty. Abiy Ahmed received a warm welcome at Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu from Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.
Reports indicated that mortar attacks targeted the airport shortly before Abiy Ahmed’s arrival. Although initial links suggest the attacks may be associated with Al-Shabaab militants, there has been no confirmation from government officials. Security issues were among the topics discussed during the visit alongside economic and diplomatic ties.
A joint communique released by Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed the commitment of both leaders to foster cooperation for mutual benefits. They acknowledged the historical bonds between their nations and the necessity for trust in diplomatic and economic engagements. This declaration hints at a shift from previous hostilities towards a collaborative approach.
Despite progress in relations with Somalia, Abiy Ahmed’s government may still face internal conflicts, particularly in the north, and deteriorating relations with Eritrea, which poses additional security challenges. Reports from BBC Amharic highlighted intense military mobilization in Eritrea, though some activists regard these claims as false.
In conclusion, PM Abiy Ahmed’s recent visit to Somalia signifies the end of a year-long period of tension between Ethiopia and Somalia, primarily related to the MoU with Somaliland. The leaders engaged in critical discussions about cooperation in security, economy, and infrastructure, emphasizing their historical ties. However, underlying security challenges remain, particularly concerning relations with Eritrea and potential internal conflicts.
Original Source: borkena.com
