Addis Ababa — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud met on Saturday with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed during a one-day working visit to the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.
According to officials, the two leaders held discussions focused on strengthening bilateral relations between Somalia and Ethiopia, with particular emphasis on cooperation in security, political engagement, and regional affairs.
Both President Mohamud and Prime Minister Abiy underscored the importance of maintaining dialogue and cooperation based on mutual respect, good neighborliness, and shared interests, stressing that such collaboration is essential for ensuring stability in the Horn of Africa.
Relations between the two countries have been strained since 2024, following a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Ethiopian government and the self-declared Republic of Somaliland. The agreement was signed by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi.
Under the MoU, Somaliland agreed to lease a 20-kilometer (12.4-mile) stretch of its coastline to Ethiopia for the construction of a naval base. In exchange, Ethiopia would become the first country to formally recognize Somaliland’s independence.
The Somali government strongly opposed the deal, arguing that it violates Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as Somaliland is internationally recognized as part of Somalia.
Earlier this year, Turkey mediated talks between Somalia and Ethiopia aimed at resolving the dispute. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced that the two sides had reached what he described as a “historic agreement,” saying it would ease tensions and provide landlocked Ethiopia with access to the sea.
The meeting in Addis Ababa signals continued diplomatic engagement between Somalia and Ethiopia amid ongoing efforts to normalize relations and address regional challenges.
