Mogadishu and Addis Ababa Advance Reconciliation After Yearlong Rift – Africa.com
Ethiopia and Somalia are taking steps to mend ties after a tense year over a controversial deal with Somaliland over sea access. Recently, Ethiopian Defense Minister Aisha Mohammed visited Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, met with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohammed and conveyed a message from Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. After the meeting, the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the two countries have committed to cooperate on the African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). In a separate statement, Somalia’s foreign ministry said Mogadishu was considering Ethiopia’s request to contribute troops to the AUSSOM mission. The talks also focused on increasing diplomatic exchanges, with Somali leaders expected to visit Addis Ababa soon. The rapprochement follows the Ankara Agreement brokered by Turkey and marks a shift after Somalia threatened to expel Ethiopian troops over the Somaliland MoU.
source: Voice of America
