Somalia and Ethiopia have hailed a military agreement between their armed forces as a vital step in enhancing security and regional stability. The statement follows Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s visit to Mogadishu, which sought to normalize bilateral relations after prior tensions. The leaders emphasized their historical ties and commitment to collaborative efforts in security, economic development, and stability.
Addis Ababa – The governments of Somalia and Ethiopia have expressed their approval of the recent military agreement reached between the Somali National Army (SNA) and the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF). They have labeled this agreement as a “critical step” towards enhancing security cooperation and promoting stability in the region.
Following Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s visit to Mogadishu, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Prime Minister Abiy highlighted the meeting as a significant reinforcement of bilateral relations. Both leaders stressed their “deep historical ties” and the necessity of fostering trust via bolstered diplomatic, economic, and social collaboration.
This renewed partnership arises from prior diplomatic strains related to Ethiopia’s Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Somaliland, which Somalia perceived as an infringement of its sovereignty. Initially, Somalia excluded Ethiopia from participating in the AU-led mission to replace ATMIS and sought to enhance military relations with Egypt, but efforts towards cooperation were subsequently revitalized following the Ankara Declaration.
President Mohamud’s visit to Ethiopia in January marked a pivotal moment, with both nations agreeing to establish full diplomatic representation and enhance collaborations in economic and security spheres. On February 24, Somalia permitted Ethiopia’s involvement in the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), reversing its previous stance and asserting that Ethiopian deployments would be conducted in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia.
In their recent joint statement, both governments welcomed the commencement of “technical talks in Ankara” and reiterated their commitment to constructive dialogue. They also laid out plans for strategic infrastructure projects aimed at economic integration, sustainable development, and stronger community ties.
Acknowledging the continuous threat posed by extremist militant groups, both nations pledged to enhance cooperation in fostering peace and stability in the region. They displayed their determination to collaborate effectively to advance mutual interests while deepening bilateral ties and strengthening regional stability and prosperity.
The military agreement between Somalia and Ethiopia signifies a significant advancement towards regional security and stability. Both governments have reaffirmed their commitment to diplomatic relations, economic integration, and cooperative security measures. With this renewed engagement, there is optimism for enhanced collaboration to address regional challenges, particularly relating to extremist threats.
Original Source: addisstandard.com
