Somalia expects to sign a framework agreement by June to grant Ethiopia access to an Indian Ocean port, Somali State Minister for Foreign Affairs Ali Mohamed Omar said on Friday, marking a potential breakthrough in regional economic cooperation.
The deal, currently under negotiation, will define the port location, access terms, and associated costs, Omar told Universal Somali TV in an interview.
The announcement follows high-level talks in Mogadishu on Thursday between Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, where both leaders pledged to deepen bilateral ties and enhance regional security cooperation.
Ethiopian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nebiat Getachew emphasized that strengthening Addis Ababa-Mogadishu relations would benefit not only both nations but also regional stability. Ethiopia has also committed to continued participation in peacekeeping efforts in Somalia, he added.
A joint communique issued after the leaders’ meeting reaffirmed their commitment to diplomatic, economic, and security collaboration, underscoring mutual efforts to combat terrorism and promote regional development.
