Monday December 23, 2024
Mogadishu (HOL) – A Somali government delegation, led by Minister of State for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ali Omar, is scheduled to visit Addis Ababa on Monday to advance the Turkey-brokered agreement that resolved the diplomatic dispute between Somalia and Ethiopia.
According to an official statement, the visit explores transformative opportunities to build a partnership grounded in mutual respect, shared interests, and cooperation.
“The Federal Government of Somalia remains resolute in its vision to foster robust relations with neighboring countries, firmly anchored in the principles of sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity,” the statement read.
The diplomatic standoff began on January 1, 2024, when Somaliland’s former president, Muse Bihi Abdi, and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed signed a memorandum of understanding to lease 20 kilometers of Somaliland’s seafront to Ethiopia for 50 years in exchange for diplomatic recognition. The Somali government rejected the agreement, calling it a “blatant violation” of Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan praised the agreement, describing it as a “historic” milestone with the potential to secure landlocked Ethiopia’s access to the sea while preserving Somalia’s territorial sovereignty.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud have since reaffirmed their commitment to upholding each other’s sovereignty, marking a fresh chapter in regional diplomacy and cooperation.
