After a year of tension over Ethiopia’s controversial agreement with Somaliland for sea access, Ethiopia and Somalia are taking steps to mend relations. Recently, Ethiopian Defense Minister Aisha Mohamed visited Mogadishu, Somalia’s capital, to meet with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and deliver a message from Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. Following their meeting, Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that both nations had pledged to cooperate on the African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). In a separate statement, Somalia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Mogadishu is considering Ethiopia’s request to contribute troops to the AUSSOM mission. Talks also focused on increasing diplomatic exchanges, with Somali leaders expected to visit Addis Ababa soon. The reconciliation follows the Ankara Agreement, brokered by Turkey, and marks a shift after Somalia threatened to expel Ethiopian troops over the Somaliland memorandum of understanding.
Source: VOA