SLSUN: Somalia and Ethiopia announced on 11 January that they would restore full diplomatic relations following the president of Somalia‘s visit to Addis Ababa to heal a year-long rift that threatened further instability in the Horn of Africa.
In a joint statement, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed “agreed to restore and enhance their bilateral relations through full diplomatic relations in their respective capitals”.
Land-locked Ethiopia’s desire for access to the sea had deepened long-standing grievances between the two neighbours.
Somalia was outraged when Ethiopia signed a deal one year ago with its breakaway region of Somaliland, reportedly to recognise its independence in exchange for a port and military base on the Red Sea.
Ethiopia’s ambassador in Mogadishu was expelled in April 2024 and the countries broke off their diplomatic ties. The row was defused by a peace deal in December, mediated by Turkiye and signed by both leaders.
Continue reading the full report including Taking sides: Egypt, Eritrea, Somalia vs. Ethiopia
