MOGADISHU, Somalia – A new dawn has emerged for Somalia and Ethiopia, as the two East African neighbors embrace a freshly inked military agreement. This pact between the Somali National Army (SNA) and the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) signifies a promising chapter grounded in mutual respect, ensuring each nation’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

General Odowaa Yusuf Rage from the SNA and Field Marshal Birhanu Jula of the ENDF met just before a pivotal visit between President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in Mogadishu. The result? An agreement approved by both leaders with confidence and optimism.

In a joint communique after Prime Minister Abiy’s visit, the anthem of a ‘critical step’ resounded. The leaders heralded this as a move towards ‘enhancing security cooperation’ and fostering a climate of regional stability. Are two nations once estranged, now on the cusp of a collaborative renaissance?

This diplomatic visit underscored a “normalization of bilateral relations,” emphasized the leaders. How does one quantify the weight of history and trust? For Somalia and Ethiopia, much of that revolves around “deep historical ties” and the palpable pledge to build trust through reinforced diplomatic, economic, and social cooperation.

Rewinding a bit, tensions had brewed between these two nations. Ethiopia’s previous engagement with North Western State of Somalia, Somalia’s breakaway region, had stirred the pot. The notion of Ethiopia gaining 20 kilometers access to the Red Sea, in exchange for recognizing North Western State of Somalia, did not sit well with Somalia.

In defiance, Somalia inked a military pact with Egypt, a longtime competitor of Ethiopia. The drama didn’t stop there, as Somalia had initially blocked the ENDF from participating in the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). Yet, change was on the horizon.

Things took an interesting turn when Somalia and Ethiopia shook hands over the ENDF’s involvement in the AUSSOM initiative. Creative solutions emerged, with technical teams diving deep to carve pathways for Ethiopia to access the sea without compromising Somalia’s rightful sovereignty.

The turning point? President Mohamud’s visit to Ethiopia. Both parties embraced “full diplomatic representation” and aimed for broader economic and security cooperation. Turkey, you might ask? They played an instrumental role in orchestrating this newfound harmony.

AUSSOM consists of an alliance of 11,900 troops drawn from Kenya, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Egypt, and Uganda. Yet, regional dynamics remain complex. Burundi, for instance, has voiced dissatisfaction, considering withdrawing due to a scuffle over troop numbers. The crux? Bujumbura demands an additional 1,000 soldiers.

As they navigate these renewed relations, one can’t help but wonder – with new agreements and partnerships, how will the face of East Africa shift? Change, after all, often breeds hope but also invites questions.