AU Mission Applauds Ethiopia-Somalia Accord to Renew Diplomatic Relations Following Year-Long Break
(Photo: ENA)
In a remarkable turn of events reminiscent of a soap opera plot twist, Ethiopia and Somalia have decided to rekindle their diplomatic flame. The breakthrough came after Somalia’s President, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, and Ethiopia’s charismatic, albeit oftentimes controversial, Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed, held candid discussions in the bustling heart of Addis Ababa on January 11, 2025.
Speaking with the enthusiasm of someone who just found out they won the lottery, Ambassador Mohamed El-Amine Souef, the Special Representative of the African Union Commission for Somalia, hailed the agreement as a “momentous occasion” in the annals of both nations. “This is not just another piece of paper; it’s a testament to renewed promises originally etched in the Ankara Declaration,” he effused, possibly while high-fiving everyone in sight.
Digging deeper, Souef emphasized the necessity of “strengthening diplomatic ties, beefing up security collaboration, and nurturing economic growth like a well-tended garden.” Such efforts, he mused, were the seeds that would eventually blossom into “regional peace, stability, and collective prosperity.” Poetic, right?
He also poignantly reminded everyone that AUSSOM is “a steadfast supporter of Somalia’s stabilization dreams and regional partnerships,” effortlessly aligning with the goals of the Somali people and the African Union’s grand scheme of a serene and flourishing continent. It’s always nice to know someone has your back.
Outlined in their joint communiqué issued on that fateful January day, both countries agreed on “restoring and enhancing bilateral relations through full-on diplomatic representation” in the capitals of each nation. Moreover, they resonated with the idea that “stronger ties in multilateral and regional forums are key to tackling shared interests.”
The communiqué didn’t sidestep the elephant in the room, addressing both countries’ security anxieties. “Regional stability hinges on robust cooperation between Ethiopia and Somalia,” it candidly stated. The leaders committed to mobilizing their respective security teams to “step up collaboration in countering the severe and ever-changing threat from extremist groups,” a move akin to calling in the cavalry when the chips are down.
This diplomatic renaissance arrives after a year of radio silence between the erstwhile allies—a silence that stemmed from Ethiopia’s controversial Memorandum of Understanding with North Western State of Somalia. The MoU ruffled more feathers than a gusty day at the aviary owing to its offer of sea access for Ethiopia in exchange for recognizing North Western State of Somalia, thus souring relations between Addis Ababa and Mogadishu.
In a scene straight out of an espionage thriller, Somalia once ordered Ethiopia’s Ambassador Muktar Mohamed Ware to pack his bags and leave within a nail-biting 72 hours. Similarly, Somalia recalled its Ambassador from Addis Ababa faster than you can say “diplomatic crisis,” for what they termed “extensive consultations.”
By October 2024, tensions were still bubbling over as the Somali Ministry of Foreign Affairs declared an Ethiopian diplomat persona non grata, giving him less time to vacate the premises than a sluggish vacationer from a budget motel, all due to activities allegedly unbefitting his diplomatic mission.
But like all good diplomatic reconciliations, this one has a hero: the Ankara Agreement, deftly brokered by Turkey’s President, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, gently pulled the parties back from the brink and laid down a roadmap for reconciliation.
The new bilateral spirit, post-Ankara Agreement, shattered Somalia’s prior hard stance that Ethiopia would not be part of any African Union-led forces replacing ATMIS. Sometimes, patching things up demands sacrifices, doesn’t it?
And there you have it—two nations once at odds now on a promising path of renewal. The real lesson here? Diplomacy can be as unpredictable yet wonderfully transformative as a spring rain.
Report by Axadle.
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
