Ethiopias

In Asmara, Eritrea, on October 9, 2024, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki held bilateral meetings to discuss enhancing military cooperation and strengthening their relationship amidst regional shifts. Credit: Villa Somalia Somalia's leader, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, touched down in Asmara, Eritrea, this past Wednesday for a formal visit. Since taking the helm in 2022, this marks his fourth voyage. It's likely geared toward boosting a developing alliance among Somalia,…

On a recent day, the quietude of the Ethiopian Rift Valley was shattered by a 4.9-magnitude earthquake. This seismic event originated west of Lake Awash, particularly near the Mount Fentale district, rattling the town of Metehara and prompting some locals to scramble for safety. In the aftermath of the quake, reports indicated that numerous buildings suffered structural damage, while cracks emerged in the ground nearby. Fortunately, as of now, no injuries or significant destruction have been documented, which is a relief…

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia - Taye Atske, now steering the Ethiopian presidency, envisions a diplomatic path to securing sea access for Ethiopia. The nation intends to adopt a strategy based on reciprocity, marking a notable shift from its previous, widely criticized strategy. Striving for a maritime foothold to establish a port and military base, Ethiopia has turned its gaze to North Western State of Somalia, proposing a 20-kilometer stretch along the Red Sea. In return, Ethiopia would acknowledge North Western State of…

Turning up in Mogadishu, Somalia's Foreign Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi gets a warm welcome after returning from the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Mogadishu (AX) — Just back from the international spotlight, Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, Somalia's Foreign Minister, recently chewed the fat with Egyptian and Eritrean counterparts, focusing on what Somalia says are ongoing invasions by Ethiopia into its turf. Both Egypt and Eritrea threw their weight behind Somalia, lambasting Ethiopia for actions that jeopardize Somalia's…

Mogadishu (AX) – On Saturday, Abdukhadir Mohamed Noor, Somalia’s Defense Minister, firmly stated that Ethiopian troops would not join the forthcoming African Union Support Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) unless Ethiopia exits the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) agreement with North Western State of Somalia.During a media briefing in Mogadishu, Minister Noor explained that Somalia is considering different contingencies to replace the Ethiopian forces if there's no withdrawal from the MoU.“Ethiopian troops won't participate in…

Mogadishu (AX) – Djibouti's intriguing suggestion as a potential remedy for the ongoing diplomatic rift between Somalia and Ethiopia remains unanswered by Ethiopia, Djibouti's Foreign Minister Mahmoud Ali Youssouf disclosed. In a tête-à-tête with VOA, Youssouf shared that the ball is still in Ethiopia’s court regarding the management and use of the Tojorah port, nestled in Djibouti's northern expanse. This port has been proposed by Djibouti as an alternate maritime gateway for landlocked Ethiopia, heavily dependent on…

Somalia Challenges Ethiopia's Red Sea Ambitions MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has voiced strong opposition to Ethiopia's moves toward the Red Sea, accusing Ethiopia of aiming for military control under the guise of seeking port access.   This firm stance follows a controversial accord between Ethiopia and North Western State of Somalia. The deal grants Ethiopia access to the Red Sea, recognizing North Western State of Somalia's sovereignty, which Somalia views as a direct threat to its…

President Mohamud lambasted Ethiopia for its audacious moves to dominate Somali waters, accusing Addis Ababa of aiming for military supremacy. "Ethiopia’s ambitions extend beyond acquiring a port," stated Hassan Sheikh. "Their goal is to project military muscle in the Red Sea, which is downright intolerable. They intend to not only construct a port but also establish a naval base. Both these endeavors infringe upon Somalia’s sovereignty and flout international law." Dialogue between Somalia and Ethiopia has hit a brick…

NEW YORK - Ethiopia's government is expressing dismay at Somalia's accusations, labeling them as baseless and misguided. Ethiopia firmly believes that Somalia's uproar over the North Western State of Somalia agreement is an unjustified, inappropriate reaction fueled by misinformation. During his address at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Ethiopian Foreign Affairs Minister Taye Atske dismissed Somalia's claims. He argued that Somalia is trying to "distract from internal political strife by…

Mogadishu (AX) — Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre took the stage at the United Nations General Assembly, rallying global leaders for a united front on the world's most urgent crises. In his stirring address, Barre tackled everything from ongoing conflicts to climate change, explicitly calling out Ethiopia for infringing on Somalia's borders, and appealed for swift international intervention.