Somalia and Ethiopia have agreed to re-establish full diplomatic representation in their respective capitals, marking a significant step toward mending ties severed over a year ago.
The rift was sparked by a contentious sea access agreement Ethiopia signed with Somaliland, a separatist region in northern Somalia.
This agreement was announced during Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s unexpected visit to Addis Ababa, where he and Ethiopian officials committed to restoring and strengthening bilateral relations.
The renewed ties were described as a “milestone” by Ethiopia’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mesganu Arga Moach, underscoring the importance of this development for the region.
The original dispute arose in early 2023 when Ethiopia signed a memorandum with Somaliland granting it access to a port along the Gulf of Aden and the potential establishment of a naval facility.
Somalia viewed this as a direct challenge to its sovereignty, accusing Ethiopia of attempting to recognize Somaliland’s independence, which neither Somalia nor the international community acknowledges.
Somaliland has operated autonomously since declaring independence in 1991 but remains unrecognized globally.
The diplomatic fallout strained regional security cooperation, particularly in the fight against al-Shabaab, an al-Qaida-linked militant group in Somalia.
Somalia even threatened to expel Ethiopia from a UN-backed peacekeeping mission critical to countering the group.
Recent discussions, however, have led Somalia to reconsider Ethiopia’s role, with assurances that alternative troop contributions could be arranged if needed.
Key to the resolution was the intervention of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who mediated talks between Somali and Ethiopian leaders in Ankara.
These discussions culminated in the Ankara Declaration, where both nations pledged to resolve disputes through dialogue.
Part of the agreement involves a “one-door policy,” ensuring Ethiopia does not engage Somaliland directly without Somalia’s consent.
The thawing of relations coincides with heightened regional dynamics. Somalia’s foreign minister recently attended a Cairo meeting with Eritrea and Egypt, countries with their own strained ties with Ethiopia.
These discussions addressed non-Red Sea countries’ potential military presence in the strategic waterway, an issue of concern for littoral states.
Meanwhile, Egypt has deepened its involvement in Somalia, supplying arms and preparing to send troops to support the peacekeeping mission against al-Shabaab.
The renewed Somalia-Ethiopia partnership is expected to ease tensions and foster collaboration, which is vital for addressing shared challenges in the Horn of Africa.
This breakthrough signals a fresh chapter in Somalia and Ethiopia’s complex relationship, with regional and global implications for security, diplomacy, and economic cooperation.
