President Mohamud, Abiy Discuss Somalia’s Security and Horn of Africa Stability

GOOBJOOG NEWS | ANTALYA: Federal government of Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed have held talks on Somalia’s security situation and wider regional developments, in a high-level engagement highlighting continued efforts to maintain dialogue between the neighbouring countries.

The meeting took place on Wednesday on the sidelines of the COP31 Leaders’ Summit in Antalya, Turkey, with Abiy saying discussions focused on the evolving security situation in Somalia and developments across the Horn of Africa.

In a statement following the meeting, the Ethiopian prime minister said the two leaders exchanged views on regional challenges and emphasised the importance of sustained dialogue and cooperation in advancing peace and stability.

The discussions come as Somalia continues its fight against Al-Shabaab and works to strengthen its security institutions, while Ethiopia remains an important regional security actor and contributor to African Union operations in Somalia.

The engagement also comes against the background of diplomatic tensions that strained relations between Mogadishu and Addis Ababa in 2024, following Ethiopia’s agreement with Somaliland to pursue access to the sea. Somalia rejected the deal, arguing that it violated its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The dispute was addressed through Turkey-mediated talks that culminated in the December 2024 Ankara Declaration, in which both countries reaffirmed their commitment to respect each other’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity.

Under the declaration, the two sides agreed to pursue mutually beneficial arrangements that would provide landlocked Ethiopia with reliable access to the sea under Somalia’s sovereign authority, through bilateral negotiations.

The latest meeting signals continued high-level engagement on security and regional cooperation, although neither leader announced any new agreement or specific outcome from Wednesday’s discussions.

President Mohamud is in Turkey attending COP31, where world leaders are discussing climate change, adaptation and support for countries vulnerable to its effects.