Reported Mortar Attacks Target Airport Shortly Before Abiy Ahmed Arrives
Borkena
Toronto – Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Thursday visited Somalia, signifying that the year-long tense relation over Ethiopia’s MoU with Somaliland is now over.
The office of the Prime Minister disclosed that Abiy Ahmed and Hassan Sheikh “held extensive discussions, building on previous engagements to strengthen bilateral relations. Their talks focused on peace and security, the economy, diplomacy, and opportunities for joint infrastructure development.”
Before this visit, the two leaders met twice in Addis Ababa after they signed the Turkish-mediated Ankara Agreement in December 2023, which ended a year-long tense relation between the two countries. Some think that the Ankara Agreement averted a military conflict between Ethiopia and Somalia.
Somalia and Ethiopia have resumed diplomatic relations after cutting ties following the tension over the MoU Ethiopia signed with Somaliland on January 1, 2024. Somalia claimed that the agreement with the breakaway region, which has existed as an unrecognized independent state for more than 34 years, violates “its sovereignty.”
Abiy Ahmed was greeted by Hassan Sheikh Mohamud when he arrived at Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu.
“I appreciate the warm and brotherly welcome from President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud…” Abiy wrote on his social media page.
Somali news sources reported that there was a mortar attack targeting the airport shortly before the arrival of Abiy Ahmed. Garowe Online reported that mortar shells landed near the airport shortly before Abiy’s arrival. It is indicated that government officials have not commented on the attack. However, it is linked to Al-Shabab militant attacks although not yet verified.
Security challenges in the country and in the region were one of the issues that the two leaders discussed. “The economy, diplomacy, and the potential for joint infrastructure development” were also discussed.
Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) shared a joint communique the two leaders released after their meeting. A commitment to cooperation was reaffirmed. “The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen cooperation for mutual benefit. Recognizing the deep historical ties between their peoples and the shared border that connects them, they emphasized the importance of building trust through enhanced diplomatic, economic, and social cooperation,” it said.
The communique seems to suggest that the two countries have ended their hostility and are striving to mend cooperative relations. However, Abiy Ahmed’s administration could be fighting a war in the north as the relations with Eritrea—with whom Somalia signed a tripartite agreement in October 2024—are deteriorating fast. BBC Amharic reported intensive mobilization in Eritrea. However, some Eritrean activists dismiss the news as “fake news.”
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This photo is feast to my eyes and the story is music to my ears with Miles Davis and Ali Birra playing their hits for me. Hey Atlanta! Cancel your trip to Mogadishu to deliver a message from Rastaman.
Somalia and Ethiopia are two flesh and blood authenticated fraternal people. The people of Ethiopia have sacrificed their Allah Blessed lives protecting their neighbors in Somalia from the wrath’s of religious extremists and terrorists since 1991. Brother Hassan Sheikh Mohamud seems to understand the fact his 130+ million neighbors next door can not continue to live suffocated without an outlet to the vast ocean. I am sure he knows that. Also, as a well-read scholar, he knows very well that Somaliland presents itself as an extraordinary situation and must be handled in an extraordinary way. I have confidence that that has sunk in him.
Okay you two guys! What will you take back to your anxious people after this historic meeting? Your people are saying ‘Such leadership meeting is good and dandy but what do you have for me?’.
For now, hats off from me.
Sometimes I’m scared of Somalis. Some of them you never know how they are