Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud visited Ethiopia on Saturday to strengthen a recent peace agreement aimed at resolving tensions exacerbated by Ethiopia’s deal with Somaliland. The meeting underscored a commitment to collaboration, though uncertainties remain regarding Ethiopia’s maritime access and the future of its agreements. Regional dynamics are further complicated by a new alliance between Egypt, Eritrea, and Somalia, focused on countering Ethiopia’s ambitions.
On Saturday, Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud arrived in Ethiopia to reinforce cooperation following a recent peace agreement aimed at reducing tensions in the region. Ethiopia, a landlocked nation, has longstanding grievances with Somalia, particularly following a divisive deal with Somaliland that granted Ethiopia port access. In response, a diplomatic agreement was achieved last month, mediated by Turkiye. Mohamud’s visit to Addis Ababa, at the behest of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, signifies a commitment to collaborative relations between the two nations.
Abiy Ahmed’s social media indicated his reception of Mohamud at the airport, emphasizing the importance of the bilateral discussions. However, uncertainties remain regarding the logistics of Ethiopia’s sea access promised under last month’s peace accord and the future of its agreement with Somaliland. Furthermore, tensions are evident as Somalia’s Foreign Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi engaged in discussions with Egyptian and Eritrean officials, drafting opposition strategies against Ethiopia’s aspirations. Egypt’s Foreign Minister highlighted that security in the Red Sea will remain under the purview of coastal nations, rejecting any non-coastal military presence.
A new alliance has emerged between Egypt, Eritrea, and Somalia, initially formed during a summit last October in Asmara, aiming to further regional stability against Ethiopian developments. This coalition has fortified military collaborations, particularly with Egyptian forces integrated into the newly established African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).
The recent visit of Somalia’s President to Ethiopia occurs against a backdrop of historical tensions between the two neighboring countries, largely driven by Ethiopia’s landlocked status and its quest for maritime access to the sea. In previous years, relations soured further when Ethiopia signed a controversial deal with Somaliland, a self-declared independent region of Somalia, which incited anger in Mogadishu. The subsequent peace agreement, facilitated by Turkiye, aimed to mend ties between Somalia and Ethiopia, signaling a turn toward diplomacy after a period of hostilities.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s visit to Ethiopia symbolizes a renewed effort at peace and cooperation in the Horn of Africa, indicating a significant pivot in the diplomatic relations between both nations. While the recent agreements suggest a positive trajectory, the path forward remains clouded with uncertainty regarding Ethiopia’s agreements with Somaliland and the broader regional implications of these diplomatic moves. The emerging alliance among Egypt, Eritrea, and Somalia reflects the ongoing complexities in regional security dynamics, necessitating careful monitoring of future developments.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
