In the heart of Mogadishu, a momentous occasion unfolded on a significant Thursday as Ethiopia’s Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed, touched down in Somalia’s capital. His agenda was clear: to bridge the chasm that had formed between Ethiopia and Somalia. The reception, marked by reverence, was just the prelude to the dialogues expected to reshape their bilateral relations.
History has a peculiar way of weaving its narrative, and in this tale, the frostiness of relations dates back to January 2024. It was a time when Ethiopia laid bare its ambition to lease a segment of coastline from Somalia’s self-declared independent region, North Western State of Somalia. With aspirations to develop a naval base coupled with a burgeoning commercial port, Ethiopia was poised to extend an olive branch in the form of possible recognition of North Western State of Somalia’s sovereignty.
Yet, this proposition was met with vehement opposition from Mogadishu. The Somali government alleged that Ethiopia’s actions jeopardized its territorial sanctity. Their response was swift and decisive, threatening to expel Ethiopian peacekeepers stationed within their borders while simultaneously cozying up with Ethiopia’s rivals, notably Egypt and Eritrea. Such moves were akin to a chess game, where each maneuver had to be calculated with precision.
However, as is life, full of unexpected twists, the constant churn of change began to manifest in December. Facilitated by Ankara, discussions commenced. Both nations were determined to steer their ship of diplomacy through these turbulent waters. They mutually committed to devising “reliable, secure, and sustainable access” for landlocked Ethiopia’s yearning to the sea. The vision was clear, yet how would it translate to reality?
Optimism mingled with cautious optimism, they vowed to set the technical wheels in motion by the end of February. In a joint statement resonant with hope, Abiy and Mohamud avowed their dedication to fostering cooperation that would echo the “mutual benefit” mantra. The image of the duo, grinning and clasping hands against the backdrop of an airport tarmac, exuded a silent message of reconciliation. Flags of both nations fluttered as if to applaud the dawn of a renewed partnership.
Prime Minister Abiy’s voyage, following close on the heels of President Mohamud’s visit to Addis Ababa merely a month prior, is emblematic of a dance of diplomacy. Yet, even as Mogadishu celebrated this milestone, the shadow of insecurity lurked. On the very day of Abiy’s arrival, as his aircraft hovered above, a mortar shell rudely interrupted the relative peace at Mogadishu airport, a stark reminder of al Shabaab’s implacable insurgency against the tenuous Somali government.
In the grand tapestry of geopolitics, such moments lead us to ponder: how do nations navigate the labyrinth of sovereignty and cooperation? As writer Hereward Holland aptly captures the complexities of these dialogues, one discerns a parallel with life itself—perpetually negotiating, forever striving towards harmony amidst discord.
Reflecting on this diplomatic engagement, one is left contemplating the future. It stands on the precipice of reconciliation, yet what remains to be seen is how Abiy and Mohamud’s commitments will be enshrined in tangible outcomes.
The path ahead necessitates both nations to heed the wisdom encapsulated by Henry Ford, “Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.” It awaits the test of time and the resilience of both leaders to forge a new chapter—a narrative no longer dictated by past grievances but illuminated by collaborative strides towards progress.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International–Monitoring
Reporting: Feisal Omar in Mogadishu and Dawit Endeshaw in Addis Ababa.
Contributors: Writing by Hereward Holland; Editing by George Obulutsa, Ammu Kannampilly, and Christina Fincher.
