Somalia, Ethiopia Restore Diplomatic Ties After Addis Ababa Talks

ADDIS ABABA - After several months of tensions, Somalia and Ethiopia agreed to reopen their diplomatic offices, a move that guarantees close collaboration and partnership, in what could foster development within the Horn of Africa region.

The diplomatic fallout was fixed over the weekend when President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud met Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, weeks after the famous Ankara Declaration. Turkey mediated talks between the two countries.

Somalia closed down its embassy in Addis Ababa while recalling its envoys to the country. In return, the country also declared Ethiopia ambassador to the country 'persona non grata'. But on Saturday, Hassan Sheikh ordered for resumption of diplomatic partnerships.

“They agreed to restore and enhance their bilateral relations through full diplomatic representation in their respective capitals,” a communiqué from the meeting read in part.

Furthermore, the two leaders emphasized the need for their diplomatic missions in multilateral and regional forums to closely cooperate on matters of mutual interest, the statement added.

Ethiopia had signed an agreement with Somaliland over access to the Red Sea in exchange for recognition of the northern region of Somalia as an independent state. This angered Mogadishu, leading to the bitter fallout.

But Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan navigated through the hurdles, leading to the agreement in Ankara that was consented to by all parties. Ethiopia will still have access to the Red Sea but on the condition that it's through mutual benefits.

The technical committees drafting the agreeable approach are still drafting the final details which are supposed to be out by the end of this month. Ethiopia is a landlocked country and for a long time, it has been fighting for access to the coastline.

GAROWE ONLINE