 "Somalia, Ethiopia restore diplomatic relations, end year-long rift that destabilised Horn of Africa")
Somalia and Ethiopia announced Saturday (January 11) that they would restore full diplomatic relations, bringing a year-long rift that had deepened instability in the Horn of Africa to a close.
The agreement came during Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s visit to Ethiopia, where he and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed pledged to “restore and enhance their bilateral relations through full diplomatic relations in their respective capitals,” according to a joint statement.
Rift over Somaliland
The rift began when Ethiopia signed a controversial agreement with Somaliland, Somalia’s breakaway region, reportedly offering to recognise its independence in exchange for a Red Sea port and a military base. The deal sparked outrage in Mogadishu, leading Somalia to expel Ethiopia’s ambassador last April and sever diplomatic ties.
A peace deal mediated by Turkey and signed last month paved the way for Saturday’s reconciliation. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the agreement, calling it a testament to their “spirit of friendship and solidarity.”
Cooperation on trade and security
During his visit to Addis Ababa, Mohamud and Abiy also discussed strengthening trade and security cooperation, particularly in combating extremist militant groups that threaten the region.
However, key questions remain unresolved, including the specifics of Ethiopia’s potential access to the sea. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had previously suggested that the peace deal would offer Ethiopia a form of sea access, but the exact details remain unclear.
The future of Ethiopia’s agreement with Somaliland is similarly uncertain.
Regional tensions persist
Hours before Mohamud’s visit, tensions over the Red Sea’s security were underscored during a meeting in Cairo between Somalia’s Foreign Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi and his counterparts from Egypt and Eritrea.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty stressed the importance of Red Sea sovereignty, saying, “The Red Sea and its security is subject only to the will of the countries on its coast, and it is absolutely unacceptable for any country not bordering the Red Sea to have a presence, whether military, naval, or otherwise.”
Egypt, Eritrea, and Somalia forged a regional alliance in October, further solidifying their opposition to Ethiopia’s regional ambitions. Egyptian troops have also joined the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), an international coalition launched this month to combat Somali Islamist insurgents.
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