AU mission in Somalia welcomes normalization of relations between Mogadishu and Addis Ababa

He affirms that this is “an important milestone” and highlights that “it is crucial to move towards peace” in the region.

Jan. 13 (EUROPA PRESS) –

The special representative of the African Union (AU) for Somalia, Mohamed el Amine Souef, has applauded the agreement reached over the weekend between Somalia and Ethiopia to formalize the restoration of their bilateral relations, which he described as “an important milestone” for both countries.

Thus, he specified in a statement published by his office on the social network strengthening cooperation at the security level and promoting economic integration.”

“All of this is crucial to moving towards peace, stability and shared prosperity in the region,” he maintained, before stating that the African Union Stabilization and Support Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) “remains committed to supporting the Somalia stabilization efforts and regional partnerships, in line with the aspirations of the Somali people and the AU vision for a peaceful and prosperous Africa.”

The statement was published after the president of Somalia, Hasan Sheikh Mohamud, and the prime minister of Ethiopia, Abiy Ahmed, agreed to restore bilateral relations after tensions arising from the agreement reached in January 2024 between Addis Ababa and the semi-autonomous region. of Somaliland, according to which the Ethiopian authorities received access to the sea in exchange for recognizing the independence of this territory.

The reestablishment of diplomatic ties between both countries takes place after the positive inertia generated with the reconciliation agreement reached under Turkish mediation in the middle of last month. Thus, Abiy and Mohamud stressed the importance of “intensifying” bilateral cooperation and supported efforts to consolidate stability in the region.

Relations between Somalia and Ethiopia deteriorated in recent months following Addis Ababa’s agreement with Somaliland to obtain naval and commercial access for a period of 50 years in exchange for Addis Ababa recognizing its independence.

Ethiopia lost direct access to the sea in 1993, when Eritrea gained independence after three decades of conflict. Its main trade route now runs along roads and a railway linking Addis Ababa to a port in Djibouti, one of five coastal neighbors that include Somalia, Eritrea, Sudan and Kenya.