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Ethiopia Strengthens Ties with Somalia to Secure Sea Access MOGADISHU, Somalia - Picture this: a landlocked nation striving tirelessly to gain a foothold on the coastal frontiers of its neighbor. Such is the vision that Ethiopia is vigorously pursuing, fostering deep and layered relationships with Somalia. As Nebiat Getachew, a representative from Ethiopia's foreign affairs ministry, recently articulated, accessing the sea is more than just a strategic ambition; it is a matter of existential importance for Ethiopia.…

Port of Berbera: Forging New Paths in Ethiopia-Somalia Relations Image: Port of Berbera in North Western State of Somalia’s breakaway region It is often said that political progress requires diplomacy as much as it needs determination. Demonstrating this complex dynamic, Ethiopia and Somalia have taken significant strides toward cooperation, breathing new life into regional stability narratives. The two countries have resolved to end their disputes surrounding North Western State…

Diplomatic Developments: An Intricate Dance Between Ethiopia and Somalia As the geopolitical landscape in the Horn of Africa continues to evolve, two nations find themselves entangled in a delicate diplomatic dance. This complex interplay involves Somalia and Ethiopia, two countries with rich histories and interwoven futures. Yet, amid this intricate ballet, silence prevails. Unfortunately, direct comments are missing. Billene Seyoum, the pragmatic press secretary for Ethiopia's Office of the Prime…

Ethiopian Prime Minister Makes First Visit to Somalia Since Resolving Red Sea Access Dispute MOGADISHU, Somalia - After what seemed like an endless stalemate, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has touched down in Somalia, turning a new page in regional diplomacy. The backdrop? A once-bitter rift over Ethiopia’s maritime ambitions involving the Red Sea—an issue finally laid to rest after comprehensive dialogues. Traveling on the wings of Ethiopian Airlines, PM Abiy arrived at the…

The bustling streets of Mogadishu had barely settled down from the recent diplomatic fanfare when officials from Somalia and Ethiopia quietly jetted off to Ankara. Here, beneath the expansive Turkish skies, a new chapter in East African diplomacy was set to unfold. Could an age-old quest for maritime access merge with modern realpolitik to reshape the Horn of Africa? In a world where global alliances shift as easily as the dunes in the Somali desert, hopes and anxieties collide. It's interesting how, in the realm of…

How often does a handshake capture the world's attention? When Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed met eye-to-eye, during the 38th African Union Summit in bustling Addis Ababa, their handshake was much more than a diplomatic formality. It was laden with the weighty hopes of peace and collaborative future—a substantial step forward since the historical signing of the Ankara Declaration. But let's not put the cart before the horse: what led to this compelling moment and what does it…

In the wake of a tragic mass shooting that claimed ten lives at an educational institution in Örebro, the Swedish government stands poised to introduce a pivotal bill aimed at overhauling its gun laws. This calamity, which ended with the perpetrator taking his own life, has sent shockwaves throughout the nation, igniting a fervent debate about gun access and public safety. Just days after the horrific event, the government's commitment to change became clear. In a recent statement, officials remarked, "Certain types of…

Hargeisa (AX) – As shadows deepened over the Gobonimo Market on a seemingly unassuming Sunday night, an unexpected inferno erupted, casting a crimson glare against the sky. The furious blaze, now quelled through tireless efforts, has etched scars of both devastation and financial despair that may take time to heal. In the wake of the conflagration, former Hargeisa Mayor Abdirahman Soltelco extended heartfelt gratitude to the heroes of the hour. "I extend my deepest thanks to the fire brigade, police force, and military…

North Western State of Somalia Mulls Over Ethiopia Sea Deal Amid Quest for Acknowledgement HARGEISA, Somalia - The self-declared state of North Western State of Somalia, nestled in northern Somalia, is reconsidering a deal with Ethiopia struck last year. This accord, initially forged to trade sea access for formal recognition, is undergoing scrutiny as regional leaders call for a fresh examination. Abdirahman Dahir Adan, the newly minted Foreign Affairs minister of North Western State of Somalia, revealed that Abdirahman…

World Toilet Day serves as a critical reminder of the pressing need for clean and safe toilets, particularly within Africa. The United Nations highlights a concerning reality— progress is lagging significantly behind in the race to meet the Sustainable Development Goal of providing "safe toilets for all by 2030." Currently, around 3.5 billion individuals across the globe are without access to basic sanitation. In various African nations such as Nigeria, Ethiopia, Niger, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burkina Faso, and…