Somalia’s President to Visit Ethiopia, Aiming to Bolster Peace in the Horn of Africa

MOGADISHU, Somalia – Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is set to visit Ethiopia on Saturday as the two nations seek to reinforce a recent peace agreement aimed at reducing escalating tensions in the Horn of Africa, according to a statement from Mohamud’s office.

Ethiopia, a landlocked nation, has long harbored ambitions for access to the sea, a goal that has exacerbated its disputes with neighboring countries in the region.

A particularly contentious issue arose when Ethiopia signed a deal a year ago with Somaliland, Somalia’s breakaway region.

The agreement reportedly involved Ethiopia recognizing Somaliland’s independence in exchange for a port and military base on the Red Sea, a move that infuriated Somalia.

The diplomatic row was quelled by a peace deal signed last month between President Mohamud and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

The agreement, mediated by Turkey, aimed to pave the way for renewed cooperation between the two countries.

In a statement, Mohamud’s office emphasized the importance of the upcoming visit: “This visit builds on the recent agreement reached in Ankara. This renewed cooperation underscores a new era of collaboration between Somalia and Ethiopia.”

Despite the peace agreement, several critical issues remain unaddressed.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan indicated that the deal could eventually grant Ethiopia some form of sea access, but the specifics of how this will be implemented are still unclear.

Additionally, the status of Ethiopia’s previous agreement with Somaliland remains uncertain.

Tensions were further highlighted during a meeting in Cairo on Saturday, where Somalia’s Foreign Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi met with his counterparts from Egypt and Eritrea.

The three countries, united in their opposition to Ethiopia’s ambitions, made a subtle yet pointed reference to their shared concerns.

“The Red Sea and its security is subject only to the will of the countries on its coast, and it is absolutely unacceptable for any country not bordering the Red Sea to have a presence, whether military, naval or otherwise,” stated Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty.

In October, Egypt, Eritrea, and Somalia formed a new regional alliance at a summit in Asmara.

This alliance, rooted in shared apprehensions about Ethiopia’s influence, has led to increased military cooperation.

Egyptian troops have joined the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), a revitalized international coalition combating Islamist insurgents in Somalia.