Mogadishu, Somalia — Somalia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdisalam Ali, officially received a copy of the credential letter from the newly appointed Ethiopian Ambassador to Somalia, Suleiman Dedefo, during a formal ceremony held at the ministry’s headquarters on Monday.
The meeting marked a diplomatic milestone in the evolving relationship between the two neighboring countries amid ongoing regional tensions.
Amb. Dedefo expressed his readiness to strengthen bilateral ties, enhance cooperation in trade and security, and foster mutual understanding between Addis Ababa and Mogadishu.
Ali welcomed the Ambassador and reaffirmed Somalia’s commitment to regional peace, dialogue, and constructive engagement with Ethiopia.
He emphasized that Somalia values diplomatic channels and expects respectful cooperation rooted in international norms and territorial integrity.
Amb. Dedefo’s appointment comes at a delicate time, as relations between Somalia and Ethiopia remain strained following the controversial Memorandum of Understanding signed between Ethiopia and Somaliland earlier this year — a deal Somalia considers a violation of its sovereignty.
Despite these challenges, both sides voiced optimism about maintaining communication and working through diplomatic frameworks to address issues of shared concern, including counter-terrorism, cross-border trade, and regional development.
The Ethiopian diplomat is expected to formally present his credentials to President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in the coming days.