Somalia Welcomes Ethiopian Envoy as Mogadishu Reasserts Sovereignty in Regional Diplomacy

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: Somalia has received Ethiopia’s new ambassador, Suleiman Dedefo, in a move widely seen as a diplomatic victory for the Federal Government of Somalia, following months of tension sparked by Ethiopia’s controversial Red Sea deal with Somaliland.

Ambassador Dedefo recently presented his credentials to President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud at Villa Somalia, marking the first formal engagement between the two countries since Somalia firmly opposed Ethiopia’s January 2024 memorandum of understanding with the northern region of Somaliland.

That agreement, which reportedly offered Ethiopia access to the Red Sea in exchange for potential recognition of Somaliland’s claimed independence, was swiftly and unequivocally rejected by Mogadishu as a violation of Somalia’s territorial integrity.

The appointment of a new envoy follows the Ankara Declaration, a Turkish-mediated agreement signed in December 2024, which reaffirmed respect for Somalia’s sovereignty and laid the groundwork for renewed diplomatic dialogue.

Government officials in Mogadishu say the ambassador’s arrival signals Ethiopia’s acknowledgment of Somalia’s central authority and its commitment to resolving differences through state-to-state channels.

The Federal Government has intensified efforts to safeguard national unity and strengthen its role in regional diplomacy. President Hassan Sheikh’s administration has mobilized international support to counter what it described as unlawful and destabilizing external interference.

Ambassador Dedefo stated that discussions focused on strengthening bilateral ties, enhancing security cooperation, and expanding economic engagement, reflecting the shifting tone in Ethiopia–Somalia relations.

For Somalia, the renewed diplomatic path opens opportunities for balanced regional cooperation, while preserving its unity, constitutional order, and foreign policy independence.