Official diplomatic communications or news reports

Somalia to Reintegrate 10,000 Ethiopian Troops in Al-Shabaab Fight After Türkiye-Brokered Deal

Jan 3, 2025, 07:16 AM

Somalia is considering reversing its decision to exclude Ethiopian troops from a multinational force fighting al-Shabaab terrorists, indicating a thaw in diplomatic relations between the two countries. Ethiopia's Defense Minister Aisha Mohammed led a delegation to Mogadishu, marking the first bilateral visit since tensions escalated over Ethiopia's plan to build a naval base in the breakaway Somali region of Somaliland. The visit follows a Türkiye-brokered agreement last month aimed at resolving the dispute between Somalia and Ethiopia, with Turkey's intervention playing a key role. The discussions in Mogadishu reaffirmed both nations' commitment to work together for peace and stability in Somalia and the region, with a focus on combating al-Shabaab terrorists. Somalia's Foreign Minister announced the resolution of the dispute with Ethiopia, paving the way for the deployment of up to 10,000 Ethiopian troops as part of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission.