Ethiopia and Somalia have agreed to restore diplomatic relations after tensions escalated over a Red Sea access agreement. The decision, made following discussions between leaders in January, aims to facilitate negotiations for Ethiopia’s maritime access and enhance security cooperation amid regional threats. This represents a significant step towards improving bilateral relations between the two nations.
Ethiopia and Somalia have reached an agreement to restore diplomatic relations following a year of strained ties caused by a Red Sea access accord. This decision was revealed in a joint statement made on X on January 11 after Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud visited Addis Ababa to meet with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. The leaders discussed various bilateral and regional matters, focusing on enhancing the strong ties between their countries’ peoples.
Relations between the two East African neighbors soured after Ethiopia entered into a preliminary arrangement with Somaliland, a breakaway region of Somalia, granting a lease for coastal use and the construction of a naval base. Somalia, which does not recognize Somaliland’s independence declared in 1991, condemned this agreement as an illegal action and responded by expelling the Ethiopian ambassador and closing two consulates.
In a bid to mitigate tensions, Somalia sought closer ties with Egypt and Eritrea, culminating in a trilateral cooperation agreement aimed at strengthening regional security amid concerns over Ethiopian policies. However, after mediated discussions led by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in December, both Ethiopia and Somalia agreed to explore commercial arrangements to facilitate secure access for landlocked Ethiopia to the sea.
The leaders of Ethiopia and Somalia determined to begin technical negotiations by the end of February during their discussions in Addis Ababa. They also pledged to enhance their diplomatic relations and establish full diplomatic representation in their respective capitals. Additionally, acknowledging the rising threat from militant extremist groups, they decided to instruct their security agencies to improve cooperation in ensuring regional peace and stability.
The recent agreement between Ethiopia and Somalia marks a crucial shift in their bilateral relations, which had been strained due to Ethiopia’s dealings with the autonomous region of Somaliland. The conflict arose when Ethiopia’s agreement to lease coastline rights was perceived by Somalia as a violation of its territorial integrity. This tension escalated into diplomatic actions, including the expulsion of ambassadors, highlighting the intricacies of East African geopolitics, where historical grievances and regional threats shape international dealings.
In summary, Ethiopia and Somalia’s renewed commitment to restoring diplomatic relations is a significant development in East African politics. After a year of heightened tensions, attributed to Ethiopia’s dealings with Somaliland, the two nations are set to engage in technical negotiations aimed at establishing reliable maritime access for Ethiopia. By enhancing their diplomatic ties and strengthening security cooperation, both leaders seek to foster stability and peace in the region.
Original Source: new.finalcall.com
