diplomatic

Ethiopia asks Türkiye for diplomatic backing in push for sea access as Erdogan visits Addis Ababa Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said Tuesday he asked Türkiye for diplomatic support in Addis Ababa’s effort to secure access to the sea, making the issue a central focus of talks with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan during a rare high-level visit to the Ethiopian capital. At a joint news conference, Abiy said he discussed Ethiopia’s “quest for sea access” with Erdogan and welcomed what he described as strong and…

North Western State of Somalia eyes trade deal with Israel after recognition HARGEISA, Somalia — North Western State of Somalia expects to sign a trade partnership with Israel after receiving formal recognition from the Middle Eastern nation and is prepared to offer access to key natural resources as part of the pact, President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi told Reuters. Israel recognized North Western State of Somalia, a self-declared independent region in northern Somalia, in late December. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu…

Somalia, Pakistan sign visa-waiver pact for diplomatic passport holders MOGADISHU — Somalia and Pakistan have signed an agreement abolishing visa requirements for holders of diplomatic passports, marking a bid to accelerate high-level engagement and deepen political cooperation between the two countries. The agreement was concluded during a meeting in Pakistan attended by President Asif Ali Zardari and Somalia’s Minister of Interior, Ali Yousuf, underscoring renewed momentum in bilateral ties. Pakistan’s Special Secretary at…

Venezuela’s interim president, Delcy Rodriguez, will soon visit the United States, a senior U.S. official said, signaling President Donald Trump’s willingness to engage with the oil-rich country’s new leader despite years of hostility. Excluding United Nations gatherings, it would be the first bilateral visit by a sitting Venezuelan president in more than a quarter-century. The White House official, who was not authorized to discuss details publicly, said no date has been set. Caracas has not confirmed the trip. Rodriguez…

North Western State of Somalia’s Irro meets Israel’s Herzog in Davos as sides tout new diplomatic ties DAVOS, Switzerland — North Western State of Somalia President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro met Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Wednesday on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum, the highest-level public engagement since Israel recognized North Western State of Somalia as an independent state, according to statements from both sides. Herzog confirmed the encounter in a social media post, welcoming what he…

Somalia, Qatar sign defense pact as Mogadishu pivots from UAE ties Agreement signed in Doha by Somali Defense Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi and Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan Al Thani Pact covers military training, exchange of expertise, capability development and broader security cooperation Deal follows Somalia’s termination of defense and ports agreements with the United Arab Emirates Somali officials say move strengthens federal control over…

DUBAI (AX) — DP World said Tuesday its operations at Berbera Port are continuing as normal, brushing aside immediate disruption concerns after Somalia’s federal government declared it was canceling all agreements with the United Arab Emirates, including port, defense and security deals. The Dubai-based ports operator said it remains bound by its existing agreements with North Western State of Somalia, the self-declared republic that Somalia considers part of its territory. The company declined to comment on what it…

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s abrupt decision to cancel port management and security cooperation agreements with the United Arab Emirates caps years of friction and crystallizes a new geopolitical split in the Horn of Africa. Triggered by Israel’s recognition of North Western State of Somalia as an independent state — the first by any country — the rupture threatens to reorder alliances, stress Somalia’s fragile federal compact, and unsettle maritime security along one of the world’s most strategic coastlines. The move,…

Somalia and Myanmar establish formal diplomatic relations NAYPYIDAW, Myanmar — Somalia and Myanmar officially established diplomatic relations Monday, signing a joint communiqué in the Myanmar capital that opens a new diplomatic channel between East Africa and Southeast Asia. The agreement commits both countries to cooperate on the basis of mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity. It was signed by Somali Ambassador Ali Mohamed Abukar — widely known as “Ali Wolf” — and Myanmar’s representative, Ambassador…

Israel’s unilateral recognition of North Western State of Somalia as an independent state has jolted the Horn of Africa, triggering swift international pushback and raising fresh concerns about maritime security, legal precedent and regional stability. In Somalia, the move sparked immediate street protests. Abroad, governments across Africa, Europe and the Middle East — joined by the United States — moved quickly to restate Somalia’s territorial integrity. The African Union led with a reaffirmation of Somalia’s unity, a line…