Ethiopia’s defence minister, Aisha Mohammed Mussa, visited Somalia on Thursday, marking a significant step towards improving relations between the two countries.
This visit comes after a year of strained relations, primarily due to an agreement between Ethiopia and the breakaway Somaliland region for the construction of an Ethiopian naval base.
The agreement, which was viewed by Somalia as an act of aggression, had led to escalating tensions and threats of expelling Ethiopian troops from Somalia.
However, following recent negotiations in Turkey, both countries agreed to resolve the dispute through diplomatic channels.
This visit by the Ethiopian defence minister is seen as a crucial step in rebuilding trust and strengthening bilateral ties.
The presence of Ethiopian troops in Somalia plays a vital role in the fight against the militant group al-Shabaab.
The dispute between Ethiopia and Somalia has raised concerns about regional stability, given the complex geopolitical dynamics in the Horn of Africa.