Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed visited Somalia to discuss reconciliation and cooperation with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. The talks will cover security, politics, and terrorism. Tensions arose last year after a controversial deal with Somaliland, but diplomatic ties were restored in January following mediation by Türkiye. Abiy’s visit aims to implement the Ankara agreement amidst ongoing regional complexities.
Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed arrived in Mogadishu, Somalia, for discussions with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. The meeting is aimed at advancing a delicate reconciliation process and will cover crucial topics such as security, political relations, economic collaboration, and counter-terrorism efforts in the region, according to a statement from the Somali government.
Despite the visit occurring smoothly, residents in the vicinity of the airport reported mortar attacks shortly after Abiy’s delegation departed for the presidential palace. An Ethiopian delegation member stated they were unaware of any such incidents during their arrival.
Tensions had escalated between Ethiopia and Somalia following a deal allowing Ethiopia access to the sea through the breakaway region of Somaliland last year. However, diplomatic relations were fully restored in January after a peace agreement facilitated by Türkiye was reached in December.
Sources from the Somali presidential palace confirmed that Abiy’s visit is part of ongoing efforts to enact the “Ankara agreement” aimed at strengthening ties between Ethiopia and Somalia. Reports indicated that the deal would have allowed Ethiopia to recognize Somaliland’s independence, although this was never officially affirmed, in exchange for a strategic naval base for land-locked Ethiopia.
Mogadishu reacted strongly against the Somaliland agreement, resulting in the withdrawal of its ambassador from Ethiopia, illustrating the delicate balance of regional diplomacy that continues to evolve between these nations.
Abiy Ahmed’s visit to Somalia underscores the efforts to stabilize and build cooperative relations between Ethiopia and Somalia following tensions caused by maritime agreements with Somaliland. The discussions will focus on essential issues like security and terrorism, reflecting the complexity of regional interactions shaped by past agreements and diplomatic negotiations.
Original Source: www.hurriyetdailynews.com
