Somali president visits Ethiopia in first trip since bilateral disputes resolved by Ankara-brokered agreement

By Sadik Kedir Abdu

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AA) - Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud arrived in Ethiopia on Saturday for his first official visit since Türkiye-mediated talks resolved long-standing disputes between the two nations.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed welcomed Mohamud with a high-level reception, and the two leaders held discussions centered on enhancing relations and addressing mutual priorities, according to Ahmed’s post on X.

"This visit builds on the recent agreement reached in Ankara. This renewed cooperation underscores a new era of collaboration between Somalia and Ethiopia,” said a statement from the Somali Presidency, Villa Somalia.

The dispute between Ethiopia and Somalia began in January 2024, when Ethiopia signed a deal with Somalia’s breakaway region of Somaliland to use the Red Sea port of Berbera. Since then, Türkiye has worked to ease tensions between the two nations.

The Ankara Declaration was reached last December during talks hosted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, with Somali and Ethiopian leaders in attendance.