Ethiopia PM Abiy visits Somalia for talks with President Hassan
Mogadishu airport was hit by at least one mortar shell shortly before Abiy's plane landed on Thursday, despite all roads around the high security complex being closed, four local residents and media said.
Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed arrived in Somalia's capital Mogadishu on Thursday to hold discussions with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Somalia's presidency said, following a thaw in icy relations.
The relationship soured in January 2024 when Ethiopia announced plans to lease a stretch of coastline in Somalia's breakaway Somaliland region.
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Ethiopia planned to build a naval base and commercial port in exchange for possible recognition of Somaliland's independence.
Somalia accused Ethiopia of undermining its territorial integrity, threatened to eject its peacekeepers, and strengthened ties with Ethiopia's arch-foes Egypt and Eritrea.
Mogadishu airport was hit by at least one mortar shell shortly before Abiy's plane landed on Thursday, despite all roads around the high security complex being closed, four local residents and media said.
Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. (Villa Somalia)
The two countries agreed to resolve the dispute at talks mediated by Ankara in December, pledging to find commercial arrangements to allow landlocked Ethiopia "reliable, secure and sustainable access to and from the sea."
They also agreed to begin technical negotiations by the end of February.
"This visit marks a significant step toward strengthening the diplomatic ties between Somalia and Ethiopia, as the two leaders are scheduled to engage in discussions on key bilateral and regional matters of mutual interest," Somalia's presidency posted on X.
The two men smiled as they shook hands on the airport tarmac, surrounded by people waving flags of the two neighbouring countries, according to photographs shared by the presidency.
Abiy's trip comes a month after Hassan visited Addis Ababa.
Thursday's engagements signaled a renewed commitment to regional stability and mutual benefit.
The two leaders highlighted the historical ties between their nations, emphasising the importance of trust and collaboration.
"Ethiopia and Somalia are interdependent nations with a common destiny and a shared vision for regional stability and prosperity," the statement noted.
Recognising their shared border and common security interests, both leaders pledged to work together in implementing strategic infrastructure projects that promote sustainable development, economic integration, and stronger people-to-people ties.
Security and stability in the Horn of Africa
A key focus of the discussions was security cooperation, particularly in the wake of continued threats from extremist groups like Al-Shabaab.
Ethiopia will deploy boots under the auspices of the AU Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).
AUSSOM is expected to comprise 11,900 personnel operating on the ground, including soldiers, police, and civilian support staff.
Accordingly, the composition of AUSSOM troops will be as follows: Uganda (4,500), Ethiopia (2,500), Djibouti (1,520), Kenya (1,410), with Egypt (1,091) as a new troop-contributing country.
This solidifies Ethiopia's continued participation in peace efforts in Somalia following a truce between President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
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