Farmaajo: Ethiopia is a true friend of Somalia

Farmaajo [L] shakes hands with Abiy Ahmed in Addis Ababa following the inauguration [Photo: Villa Somalia]

ADDIS ABABA - The government of Somalia will closely work with the federal government of Ethiopia, outgoing President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo has said, in a statement which comes at the time the two nations are battling with internal conflicts.

Ethiopia and Somalia initially struggled with mutual relationships but in recent years, the cooperation has been on another level. In the 1970s, the two countries fought over the Somali region which is commonly known as Ogaden, the current day Somali state of Ethiopia.

In his address during the inauguration of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo said Mogadishu and Addis Ababa will continue working closely for the benefit of the people and governments of the two countries.

"Ethiopia and Somalia enjoy historical bilateral relations and strong friendship built on mutual respect, strong people-to-people relations, and increasing interdependence," he said in a statement, which he read in presence of several leaders.

"We are jointly working to create a safer, integrated, and the prosperous Horn of Africa for the betterment of all our people, " Farmaajo, who is facing a host of internal challenges in Somalia added, noting that the two countries have " a common agenda".

Outgoing Somalia's President said Ethiopia and Somalia will continue working together in the fight against terrorism. Currently, Ethiopia has close to thousands of young soldiers in the Horn of Africa nation, who are actively fighting the militants.

Recently, reports of Somali troops fighting in the Tigray region of Ethiopia emerged but both Addis Ababa and Mogadishu denied the claims. The soldiers were training in Eritrea and are said to have been sneaked to Axum where genocide was reported.

Farmaajo and Abiy Ahmed have been close throughout their reign in office but internal wrangles in their respective countries have raised concerns in the international level. Farmaajo is struggling to hold elections in Somalia, and his term is long expired.

On the other hand, Abiy Ahmed is struggling to contain rebellion in the Tigray region of Ethiopia where thousands of people have been killed. In recent weeks, reports indicate that Tigray Defense Forces [TDF] has taken over control in neighboring Afar and Amhara states.

GAROWE ONLINE