Somalia’s president will visit Ethiopia on Saturday, his office said, as the two countries look to build on a recent peace deal that aims to defuse mounting tensions in the Horn of Africa.
Advertisement
Land-locked Ethiopia’s desire for access to the sea has deepened long-standing grievances with its neighbours in the volatile region.
Somalia was outraged when Ethiopia signed a deal one year ago with its breakaway region of Somaliland, reportedly to recognise its independence in exchange for a port and military base on the Red Sea.
The diplomatic furore was defused by a peace deal signed last month by Somalian President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, which was mediated by Turkey.
Mohamud’s office said he would visit the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa on Saturday at Abiy’s request.
Advertisement
“This visit builds on the recent agreement reached in Ankara. This renewed cooperation underscores a new era of collaboration between Somalia and Ethiopia,” it said.
But many questions remain unresolved.