Somalia and Ethiopia announced the restoration of full diplomatic relations on Saturday, ending a year-long rift that strained regional stability.
The breakthrough came during Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s visit to Addis Ababa, where he met Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. In a joint statement, both leaders pledged to “restore and enhance bilateral relations through full diplomatic representation in their respective capitals.”
Tensions flared last year when Ethiopia signed a controversial deal with Somaliland, Somalia’s breakaway region. The agreement, reportedly recognizing Somaliland’s independence in exchange for access to a Red Sea port and military base, angered Mogadishu.
In response, Somalia expelled Ethiopia’s ambassador in April and severed diplomatic ties, deepening the rift between the neighboring nations.
A Turkish-brokered peace deal last month laid the groundwork for reconciliation. On Saturday, Mohamud and Ahmed reaffirmed their commitment to the agreement, emphasizing a “spirit of friendship and solidarity.”
The leaders also discussed strengthening trade ties and enhancing joint security efforts to combat extremist groups destabilizing the region.
However, unresolved issues loom large. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan indicated that Ethiopia might gain sea access under the peace deal, though the specifics remain unclear. The status of Ethiopia’s controversial agreement with Somaliland also hangs in the balance.
Earlier on Saturday, Somalia’s Foreign Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi met Egyptian and Eritrean counterparts in Cairo. The trio reiterated their opposition to Ethiopia’s ambitions in the Red Sea, asserting the region’s security should remain under coastal nations’ control.
Egypt, Somalia, and Eritrea formed a new alliance in October, strengthening military ties in response to Ethiopia’s regional strategies. Egyptian troops recently joined the African Union mission combating insurgents in Somalia.
While the reconciliation between Somalia and Ethiopia marks a significant step forward, lingering tensions in the Horn of Africa suggest challenges ahead.