Ethiopia Defence Minister Aisha Mohammed Mussa visited Somalia on Thursday. This was the first bilateral meeting since tensions rose last year. The conflict began over Ethiopia’s plan to build a naval base in Somaliland, a self-declared independent region of Somalia. Somalia’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ali Omar, confirmed the visit but did not provide details.
On Friday, Ethiopia’s foreign affairs ministry shared on X that both countries agreed to strengthen ties and work together on the African Union peacekeeping (#Aussom) mission. Ethiopia has about 10,000 troops in Somalia fighting al-Shabaab militants. However, Somalia warned that it would expel these forces unless Ethiopia cancels its deal with Somaliland.
The controversial agreement, signed a year ago, allowed Somaliland to lease part of its coastline to Ethiopia for a naval base and commercial port. In return, Somaliland sought Ethiopia’s support for its independence. Somaliland has been self-governing since 1991 but is not recognized by any other country. Somalia views Somaliland as part of its territory and condemned Ethiopia’s agreement.
After months of failed mediation, Somalia and Ethiopia held talks in Turkey in December. Both sides agreed to resolve the dispute and start technical negotiations by February’s end.
Ethiopian troops in Somalia are there under the African Union peacekeeping mission and a bilateral agreement. Regional powers fear that withdrawing these troops could weaken efforts against al-Shabaab, an al-Qaeda-linked group active since 2007.
The dispute over Somaliland has added to instability in the Horn of Africa. Somalia has aligned itself more with Ethiopia’s rivals, Egypt and Eritrea. This situation highlights ongoing challenges to regional peace and stability.
