Somalia and Ethiopia restore diplomatic ties in bid to end rift

Somalia and Ethiopia have restored full diplomatic relations after a year-long rift that destabilized the Horn of Africa, according to AFP. Following a meeting in Addis Ababa on Saturday, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed issued a joint statement announcing the move and pledging to enhance bilateral ties.

Tensions erupted in 2022 when Ethiopia reportedly agreed to recognize the independence of the breakaway region of Somaliland in exchange for Red Sea access, angering Somalia. The fallout led to the expulsion of Ethiopia’s ambassador from Mogadishu. A Turkish-mediated peace deal last month defused the dispute, though questions remain over Ethiopia's aspirations for sea access and the Somaliland agreement.

The leaders also discussed bolstering trade and security cooperation against extremist groups. However, the region’s rivalries persist, with Somalia aligning with Egypt and Eritrea to counter Ethiopia’s influence in the Red Sea. Egypt’s Foreign Minister recently reiterated that non-coastal states should not establish a military presence in the area.