Leaders of Ethiopia, Somalia reaffirm their commitment to strengthening cooperation

Addis Ababa, February 27, 2025 (FMC) – The governments of Ethiopia and Somalia issue joint communiqué, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening cooperation for mutual benefit.

This was disclosed by a joint communiqué issued this noon following the meeting between Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia and President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia in Mogadishu today.

It is worth noting that the Ethiopian Prime Minister traveled to Somalia this morning for official working visit.

The Ethiopian premier’s visit to Mogadishu follows consecutive engagements over the past few months and reinforces the normalization of bilateral relations between the two nations.

During today’s meeting, the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation for mutual benefit, as per the joint communiqué.

Recognizing the deep historical ties between their peoples and the shared border that connects them, the two leaders emphasized the importance of building trust through enhanced diplomatic, economic, and social cooperation.

“Ethiopia and Somalia are interdependent nations with a common destiny and a shared vision for regional stability and prosperity. In this spirit, both leaders expressed their commitment to implementing strategic infrastructure projects to ensure sustainable development, economic integration and strengthen people-to-people ties,” the statement noted.

Furthermore, the two leaders welcomed the commencement of the technical talks in Ankara, as agreed in the Ankara Declaration, underscoring their commitment to constructive dialogue and cooperation. They also welcomed the understanding reached between the Somali National Army (SNA) and Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) commanders, recognizing it as a critical step toward enhancing security cooperation and fostering stability in the region.

The two sides reiterated their determination to work together in advancing common interests, promoting peace and security, and deepening bilateral relations for the well-being of their citizens and the broader Horn of Africa region.