Ethiopia and Somalia have taken significant steps to mend strained diplomatic ties, signaling a renewed commitment to cooperation after a year of escalating tensions. This comes after Ethiopia’s controversial maritime agreement with Somaliland, a region seeking independence from Somalia, which had been a major point of contention.
Ethiopia’s Defence Minister, Aisha Mohammed, led a delegation to Mogadishu to discuss ways to enhance bilateral relations. Somali Foreign Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi stated that the dispute has been resolved without compromising Somalia’s sovereignty, adding that no concessions were made during the negotiations. Ethiopia, for its part, emphasized the agreement to bolster collaboration between the two nations.
The root of the discord was Ethiopia’s January 2024 maritime deal with Somaliland, granting it access to key ports in the breakaway region. Somalia viewed the agreement as an infringement on its sovereignty and responded with threats to expel Ethiopian troops stationed in the country. Tensions escalated further when Somaliland claimed the deal included Ethiopia’s potential recognition of its independence, though Ethiopia never confirmed this.
In a marked shift, relations have improved significantly following Turkey’s successful mediation. Last month, the two nations signed the Ankara Joint Declaration, which laid the groundwork for reconciliation. According to the declaration, Ethiopia and Somalia agreed to recognize each other’s sovereignty and pursue mutually beneficial commercial agreements. The declaration also outlined plans for technical talks in February 2025 to address Ethiopia’s access to the sea under Somali jurisdiction.
The recent Ethiopian delegation’s visit to Mogadishu also focused on the African Union (AU) peacekeeping mission in Somalia. Ethiopia, which has thousands of troops in Somalia, proposed contributing forces to the AU mission. While Somalia expressed openness to the idea, it stopped short of making any formal commitments.
This progress marks a turning point in the once-hostile relationship between the neighboring nations. Just weeks ago, the idea of Ethiopian officials holding talks in Mogadishu would have seemed improbable. With fears of a regional conflict involving Ethiopia and Egypt—a staunch supporter of Somalia—now receding, both nations appear to be charting a path toward lasting peace and cooperation.
As diplomatic relations improve, questions remain about the status of Ethiopia’s maritime agreement with Somaliland. While Somali officials assert that the matter is resolved, Ethiopia has yet to clarify whether the deal has been abandoned. For now, both nations seem focused on fostering stability and economic development in the Horn of Africa.
