Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed is visiting Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, to engage in discussions with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. This visit aims to strengthen bilateral relations between the two nations, which have experienced tensions in the past.
The strained relations stemmed from Ethiopia’s agreement with Somaliland, a self-declared independent region of Somalia, to lease a portion of its coastline for a naval base and commercial port. Somalia viewed this as a challenge to its territorial integrity, leading to threats of expelling Ethiopian peacekeepers and seeking closer ties with Ethiopia’s regional rivals, Egypt and Eritrea.
In December 2024, both countries signed the “Ankara Declaration,” facilitated by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, to resolve the dispute. The agreement focuses on finding commercial arrangements that provide Ethiopia with reliable, secure, and sustainable access to the sea, while respecting Somalia’s territorial integrity.
Prime Minister Abiy’s visit signifies a positive step toward mending relations and fostering cooperation between Ethiopia and Somalia. The leaders are expected to discuss various bilateral issues, including trade and security, to further enhance their partnership.
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