This development marks the end of a year-long rift that had heightened tensions in the Horn of Africa, thanks to mediation efforts by Türkiye.

Türkiye played a pivotal role, hosting three rounds of talks - two in Ankara and one in New York - leading to a breakthrough in December 2024. This agreement, known as the Ethiopia-Somalia Ankara Declaration, has been celebrated by the African Union, the United States, and the European Union. The declaration stipulates that technical negotiations will begin by the end of February 2025, with the aim of concluding within four months to further enhance mutual cooperation.

In a joint statement, President Mohamud and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed committed to moving beyond past differences, emphasizing a future of "friendship and solidarity" between their nations. This includes plans to deepen trade relations and collaborate more closely on security issues, particularly in combating extremist groups like al-Shabaab.

The restoration of relations comes after a period of discord sparked by Ethiopia's agreement with Somaliland, which sought to grant Ethiopia sea access through the breakaway region in exchange for recognition of Somaliland's independence. This deal led to Somalia expelling Ethiopia's ambassador and severing diplomatic ties in April 2024. However, the specifics of Ethiopia's sea access and the status of the Somaliland agreement remain unclear.

Meanwhile, regional dynamics continue to evolve. Just before the Somali president's visit, Somalia's Foreign Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi met with his Egyptian and Eritrean counterparts in Cairo, highlighting ongoing regional tensions. The trio, forming an informal alliance since October's summit in Asmara, Eritrea, expressed opposition to any non-coastal state's military or naval presence in the Red Sea, implicitly referring to Ethiopia's ambitions.

This alliance has also seen practical cooperation, with Egyptian troops now part of the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), aimed at tackling insurgency within the country.

This diplomatic thaw between Somalia and Ethiopia, facilitated by Türkiye, signals a potential shift towards regional stability, although the complexities of international and regional politics, particularly concerning maritime access and security, continue to loom large. (ILKHA)