Somalia, Ethiopia Announce Economic, Military Cooperation in Renewed Diplomatic Détente

GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU: Somali and Ethiopian leaders have resolved to strengthen mutual cooperation and implement key economic ventures following the resumption of ties which ended hostile relations between the two countries.

This agreement followed a meeting between President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in Mogadishu on Thursday, which highlighted the significance of the restoration of relations between the two Horn of Africa nations.

According to a communiqué from the meeting, the two leaders ‘emphasized the importance of building trust through enhanced diplomatic, economic, and social cooperation.’ It noted that Somalia and Ethiopia will ‘implement strategic infrastructure projects to ensure sustainable development, economic integration and strengthen people-to-people ties.’

The meeting followed talks earlier in the week between the military and intelligence chiefs of the two countries in Mogadishu. It emerged from the meeting that Ethiopia will maintain its military presence in Somalia under the African Union Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) framework.

At the height of differences between the two countries, Somalia declared it would not allow Ethiopia to contribute troops to AUSSOM. But a mediation by Turkey that resulted in the Ankara declaration ended the hostilities.

It is expected that Ethiopia will be seeking access to Somali ports in the new arrangement, among other agreements. Somalia has indicated it does not object to Ethiopia’s access to the sea as long as it is within the law.

The two countries bitterly fell out in 2023 following the controversial signing of an MoU between Ethiopia and the break-away region of Somaliland.

The communiqué added that the two leaders ‘welcomed the understanding reached between the Somali National Army (SNA) and Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) commanders, recognizing it as a critical step toward enhancing security cooperation and fostering stability in the region.’