Somalia and Ethiopia have agreed to restore diplomatic representation in their respective capitals, marking a significant step toward mending relations after a year-long rift. The dispute stemmed from a controversial memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed in early 2024 between landlocked Ethiopia and Somaliland, a breakaway region of Somalia. The agreement reportedly granted Ethiopia access to a port along Somaliland’s coast in exchange for potential recognition of Somaliland’s independence—a move that infuriated Somalia and escalated tensions between the two East African neighbors.
The breakthrough came after an unexpected visit by Somalia’s President, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, to Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa. In a joint statement, both countries committed to “restore and enhance bilateral relations through full diplomatic representation in their respective capitals.” Ethiopia’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mesganu Arga Moach, hailed the development as a “big milestone forward in our bilateral and brotherly relations.”
The relationship between Somalia and Ethiopia has long been fraught with historical tensions, rooted in territorial disputes and regional rivalries. One of the most significant flashpoints has been the Ogaden region, a Somali-inhabited area within Ethiopia, which was the site of a brutal war between the two countries in 1977-78. Somalia’s defeat in that conflict left lasting scars and fueled Somali irredentist aspirations, while Ethiopia has consistently sought to maintain its territorial integrity.
Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991 following the collapse of Siad Barre’s regime, has further complicated the relationship. While Somaliland operates as a de facto independent state with its own government and institutions, it has not gained international recognition. Somalia considers Somaliland an integral part of its territory, and any external engagement with the breakaway region is viewed as a violation of its sovereignty.
The 2024 Memorandum and Its Fallout
The 2024 MoU between Ethiopia and Somaliland was a major provocation for Somalia. The agreement reportedly included Ethiopia’s access to the port of Berbera on the Gulf of Aden and the construction of a naval facility, in exchange for Ethiopia’s potential recognition of Somaliland’s independence. Somalia condemned the deal as an attempt to “annex” its territory and threatened military action to prevent its implementation. The diplomatic fallout led Somalia to sever ties with Ethiopia, creating a rift that threatened regional stability.
The dispute also jeopardized security cooperation between the two countries in their shared fight against al-Shabaab, the al-Qaeda-affiliated militant group that has waged a prolonged insurgency in Somalia. Ethiopian troops play a critical role in the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), a UN-backed peacekeeping force. In response to the MoU, Somalia announced plans to expel Ethiopian troops from ATMIS, though it later indicated a willingness to “reconsider” their presence following discussions between defense ministers.
Regional Mediation and the Ankara Declaration
The recent diplomatic breakthrough follows mediation efforts by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who hosted talks between Somalia’s President Mohamud and Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in Ankara last month. The discussions culminated in the Ankara Declaration, in which both leaders pledged to resolve their differences through dialogue and address shared concerns. Turkey, which has deepened its ties with Somalia in recent years, has emerged as a key mediator in the region.
Broader Regional Dynamics
The reconciliation between Somalia and Ethiopia comes amid shifting alliances and rivalries in the Horn of Africa. Somalia’s foreign minister recently participated in a meeting in Cairo with Egypt and Eritrea—two countries that have strained relations with Ethiopia. Egypt, in particular, has been critical of Ethiopia’s Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) project on the Nile River, which it views as a threat to its water security. In October 2023, Egypt and Eritrea formed an alliance to counterbalance Ethiopia’s influence in the region.
Egypt has also increased its engagement with Somalia, supplying arms and discussing the deployment of Egyptian troops to join the peacekeeping mission against al-Shabaab. During the Cairo meeting, Egypt’s Foreign Minister, Badr Abdelatty, emphasized the need to prevent non-littoral states from establishing a military or naval presence in the Red Sea, a clear reference to Ethiopia’s ambitions in Somaliland.
Source: The Guardian, AFP
