Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed visits Somalia for the first time in months, marking the end of a diplomatic rift over Red Sea access. His discussions with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud will focus on security and trade relations amidst ongoing regional tensions. The visit follows an agreement reached in Turkey addressing the longstanding conflict.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has arrived in Somalia for the first time in several months, marking a significant step towards the restoration of relations between Mogadishu and Addis Ababa. This visit comes after a contentious agreement concerning access to the Red Sea was reached between Ethiopia and Somaliland, which previously strained ties between the two nations.
Upon landing at Aden Abdulle International Airport aboard Ethiopian Airlines, PM Ahmed’s arrival coincided with mortar shelling near the facility, underscoring the precarious security situation in Somalia. The airport was heavily secured, and roads leading to the airport and the presidential palace were closed for safety reasons, according to officials.
In Mogadishu, PM Abiy Ahmed is scheduled to meet with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to discuss enhancing trade partnerships and diplomatic relations that had deteriorated during the recent standoff. State media reported that the focus would be on security cooperation, trade enhancement, and deepening diplomatic ties, thus emphasizing both nations’ dedication to regional stability and economic collaboration.
Somalia now finds itself in a newly established alliance with Egypt and Eritrea, led by President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, which has historical tensions with Ethiopia. The recent Tripartite agreement among the three nations has caused unease in Addis Ababa. Resolution of the Ethiopia-Somalia conflict has been facilitated through discussions held in Turkey, with agreements made to form technical committees aimed at ensuring Ethiopia’s access to the Red Sea while respecting Somalia’s territorial integrity.
Before this visit, General Burham Jula, Chief of the Ethiopian Defense Forces, visited Somalia, leading to an agreement regarding the participation of Ethiopian National Defense Forces in the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia.
In summary, PM Abiy Ahmed’s visit to Somalia symbolizes an important effort to mend relations following a challenging period defined by disagreements over access to the Red Sea. The discussions between the leaders aim to strengthen security and trade partnerships in a context of broader regional alliances. With ongoing concerns regarding stability, this visit may pave the way for constructive collaboration between Somalia and Ethiopia.
Original Source: www.garoweonline.com
