MOGADISHU, Somalia — In a significant sign of mending ties, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed visited Somalia on Thursday, marking a pivotal moment for the two East African nations whose relations have been strained recently.
Upon arrival in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, Prime Minister Abiy was welcomed by Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. This visit represents an opportunity for both leaders to discuss and potentially resolve bilateral issues, from trade collaborations to diplomatic relations that have been tense due to a controversial deal Ethiopia struck with Somaliland.
Previously, friction arose when Ethiopia signed an agreement with the self-declared state of Somaliland, intending to lease land for establishing a marine base along its coast. This move raised alarms in Somalia, which regarded the agreement as a violation of its sovereignty and territorial rights, as Somalia does not recognize Somaliland’s claims of independence. Moreover, this deal would have made Ethiopia the first nation to officially acknowledge Somaliland’s autonomy.
Efforts to address these disputes began in December, when Somali and Ethiopian leaders met in Turkey. They deliberated on initiating dialogue designed to respect Somalia’s territorial integrity while simultaneously exploring Ethiopia’s aspirations to access maritime capabilities. Turkey’s influence in the region is notable, with substantial investments in Somalia, including its largest overseas military base.
Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia over three decades ago, has witnessed limited recognition, with neither the African Union nor the United Nations acknowledging it as a separate entity. Rather, Somalia continues to regard Somaliland as part of its nation, intensifying the need for dialogue between all parties involved.
As one of the world’s most populous nations without direct access to the coast, Ethiopia, with its over 120 million residents, is keen to explore avenues that grant it entry into marine trade and military capabilities, crucial for its regional aspirations.
