Ethiopia Restores Diplomatic Ties With Somalia, Appoints New Ambassador
By Balarabe Alkassim with agency report
In a move to restore regional stability, Ethiopia has restored diplomatic ties with Somalia by appointing an Ambassador to Somalia.
Sputnik Africa reports that, the new ambassador, Suleiman Dedefo, presented his credentials to Somalia’s Foreign Minister, Abdisalam Hadliye Omer, in Mogadishu on Monday.
Ties between the two neighbors were strained following Ethiopia’s January 2024 deal with Somaliland, a breakaway region that granted Ethiopia coastal access.
Somalia viewed this as a violation of its sovereignty, resulting in the severing of diplomatic relations and the subsequent expulsion of Ethiopia’s Ambassador Muktar Mohamed from Somalia.
However, the tensions began to ease after mediation efforts, culminating in the Ankara Declaration in December 2024, where both nations committed to respecting each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. (Sputnik Africa)