Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed visited Somalia for talks with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to reinforce reconciliation efforts. Discussions will encompass critical issues such as security and counterterrorism. Despite Abiy’s secure arrival, mortar attacks occurred nearby, raising safety concerns. While recent diplomatic relations have improved, tensions over an agreement with Somaliland persist, causing uncertainty in Ethiopia-Somalia relations.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed arrived in Somalia on Thursday for a significant meeting with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud centered on enhancing reconciliation between their nations. The discussions are expected to cover pivotal areas such as security, politics, diplomacy, economics, and regional counterterrorism initiatives, as outlined by the Somali government.
Security officials confirmed the safe arrival of Prime Minister Abiy’s delegation at the airport. Nevertheless, shortly after their departure towards the presidential palace, local residents reported mortar attacks occurring in the vicinity, raising concerns about the stability of the region during such high-level talks. Noteworthy is that the exact connection, if any, of these attacks to the Prime Minister’s visit remains unclear.
Reports from local resident Abdiraham Hassan, who spoke to AFP, indicated that mortar shells struck the Bulohubey neighborhood, wounding an elderly woman in the process. Meanwhile, a member of Ethiopia’s delegation stated they had no knowledge of any mortar attacks during their visit, suggesting a disconnect between the unfolding chaos and the diplomatic mission.
Tensions between Ethiopia and Somalia intensified last year when Ethiopia entered into an agreement with the breakaway region of Somaliland for access to maritime routes. However, in January, both nations announced a restoration of diplomatic relations following a peace accord facilitated by Turkey. This visit by Prime Minister Abiy is seen as a continuation of efforts to fulfill the commitments of this Ankara agreement, according to a source at the Somali presidential palace.
The agreement involving Somaliland, which was reportedly intended to secure Ethiopia’s naval base in exchange for recognizing Somaliland’s independence, has faced significant opposition from Mogadishu. As a result of the deal, Somalia recalled its ambassador from Ethiopia; thus, despite recent advances in diplomatic relations, uncertainties around the efficacy of Ethiopia’s agreement with Somaliland persist.
In conclusion, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s visit to Somalia underscores ongoing efforts to strengthen diplomatic ties and address key security issues amid the backdrop of regional instability. While the diplomatic landscape continues to evolve, the consequences of past agreements, particularly regarding Somaliland, remain contentious and unresolved, reflecting the complexity of relations between Ethiopia and Somalia.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
