Ethiopia and Somalia Strengthen Their Ties

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed traveled to Mogadishu to meet with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud  On February 27, marking a key step in consolidating relations between Ethiopia and Somalia. This visit follows the Ankara Declaration, signed in December 2024, which ended a year of tensions triggered by Ethiopia’s agreement with the separatist Somaliland region. During their meeting, the two leaders discussed strategic issues such as peace, security, economic cooperation, and diplomacy, as well as the possibility of developing joint infrastructure projects. After in-depth discussions, they reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening regional stability and fostering closer ties for the benefit of their citizens and the Horn of Africa. This visit follows a series of recent meetings between the two heads of state, paving the way for the gradual normalization of bilateral relations.
As part of this rapprochement, Ethiopia and Somalia have committed to continuing negotiations, with Turkish mediation, to reach a commercial agreement that would secure Ethiopia’s access to the Red Sea. The leaders welcomed the launch of technical discussions on the implementation of the Ankara Declaration, as well as cooperation between the national armed forces of both nations, describing it as a crucial step toward enhancing peace and security in the region. This warming of relations comes after a period of significant tension sparked by Ethiopia’s attempt to lease a maritime corridor in the Somaliland region, which Somalia perceived as a violation of its territorial integrity. In response, Mogadishu had threatened to expel Ethiopian troops participating in peacekeeping missions and had strengthened ties with Ethiopia’s historical adversaries, Egypt and Eritrea. A final agreement between the two countries is expected within four months, symbolizing progress toward a more stable and sustainable partnership.

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