The joint statement followed an unexpected visit by Somalia’s president, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, to Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa. Photo Credit: Feisal Omar/Reuters

Society Somalia4. February 2025

Restoring Ties: a Promising Milestone for These Two Nations

Somalia and Ethiopia have agreed to restore diplomatic ties.

“[This] is a big milestone forward in our bilateral and brotherly relations,” says Ethiopia’s state minister for foreign affairs, Mesganu Arga Moach.

Ties between the two countries were severed at the start of 2024 when Ethiopia signed a sea access agreement with the separatist region of Somaliland. This autonomous region declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but has never been recognized as an official country within the international community. Last year, however, in exchange for sea access, Ethiopia reportedly recognized Somaliland’s independence from Somalia, ultimately straining the relationship between the two nations. Following mediated talks between the leaders of Somalia and Ethiopia last month, the two countries pledged to restore ties. Somalia expressed understanding of landlocked Ethiopia’s desire to have access to a sea, and Ethiopia reportedly agreed to now only engage with Somaliland with Somalia’s permission.

Source:
The Guardian
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