Somalia-Ethiopia Talks Focus on Security, Trade and Regional Stability

GOOBJOOG NEWS | ADDIS ABABA: Federal Republic of Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed held talks in Addis Ababa on Tuesday on bilateral relations and regional security, as renewed fighting in northern Ethiopia raises fresh concerns about stability across the Horn of Africa.

President Mohamud made a one-day working visit to the Ethiopian capital, where Prime Minister Abiy received him at Bole International Airport before the two leaders held talks at the Ethiopian prime minister’s office.

The discussions focused on security, trade, diplomatic relations and regional cooperation, according to Somali state media.

The meeting came as Ethiopia faces renewed fighting in the Tigray region, where clashes involving Tigrayan forces and Ethiopian federal forces have raised concerns about a possible wider conflict.

Fighting has also been reported in parts of the neighbouring Afar and Amhara regions, while the emergence of new political and military alliances has added to uncertainty over the trajectory of the conflict.

The developments have drawn concern from the African Union and other international actors, with calls for restraint and a return to dialogue under the 2022 Pretoria peace agreement.

Ethiopia remains an important security partner for Somalia. Ethiopian forces are contributing to the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), while the two countries share a border and common security concerns, including the threat posed by armed groups in the region.

The talks also come after a period of diplomatic tension between Mogadishu and Addis Ababa following Ethiopia’s January 2024 memorandum of understanding with Somaliland, which Somalia strongly opposed on sovereignty and territorial-integrity grounds.

Relations subsequently improved with the signing of the Ankara Declaration in December 2024 by Hassan Sheikh and Abiy under Turkish mediation.

The declaration reaffirmed respect for Somalia’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity and provided a framework for Ethiopia to pursue secure and reliable access to the sea through arrangements negotiated with Somalia.

The two leaders have maintained high-level contact since the agreement. They also met in Addis Ababa in June, with discussions covering economic ties, security and regional stability.

No new agreement or specific decisions were announced following Tuesday’s meeting.

The latest talks nevertheless come at a sensitive time for the Horn, where developments in Ethiopia, Somalia and the wider Red Sea region are increasingly interconnected.

Somalia is continuing its transition towards greater responsibility for national security, while Ethiopia remains a major regional actor and a contributor to the African Union mission supporting security in Somalia.

Maintaining direct political engagement could also provide the two sides an avenue for managing bilateral issues as wider security and economic pressures continue to shape relations across the Horn of Africa.