Tuesday December 24, 2024
FILE - Somalia’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ali Mohamed Omar (left), and Ethiopia’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Misganu Arga (right), pose together during high-level talks in Addis Ababa aimed at advancing agreements reached during the Ankara Summit. The meeting focused on strengthening bilateral ties and addressing key regional issues.
Hargeisa (HOL) — Ethiopia's State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Misganu Arga, hosted Somalia's State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ali Mohamed Omar, for high-level discussions to advance agreements reached during the Ankara Summit on December 11. The talks in Ethiopia's capital focused on deepening bilateral ties and translating summit commitments into actionable steps.
The two ministers reviewed key provisions of the Ankara agreements facilitated by Turkey and explored ways to strengthen diplomatic and economic cooperation. Ethiopian media reports emphasized the importance of fostering closer collaboration to enhance regional stability and prosperity in the Horn of Africa.
Ambassador Arga highlighted Ethiopia's commitment to advancing peace and security through strengthened diplomatic relations. Both officials expressed a shared determination to fortify ties between their nations, underscoring the mutual benefits of closer cooperation.
The discussions come at a time of heightened tensions between the two countries. Somalia's federal government recently accused Ethiopian troops operating under the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) of launching an unprovoked attack in the Doolow district of the Gedo region. The clash reportedly targeted Somali military positions, resulting in casualties among Somali forces.
The allegations have sparked widespread condemnation on social media, with many Somalis voicing anger over what they perceive as a violation of national sovereignty. Meanwhile, the Somali government continues its efforts to implement the Ankara agreements, seeking to balance diplomacy with addressing domestic concerns over Ethiopian military actions.
The Ankara Summit marked a major milestone in Somali-Ethiopian relations, with leaders from both countries pledging to enhance cooperation in security, trade, and development. Turkey, acting as a mediator, has played a key role in facilitating these agreements, which are seen as a blueprint for greater collaboration in a region often marred by instability.