Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – Somalia and Ethiopia have officially commenced a joint technical committee meeting in Addis Ababa, marking a key step toward revitalizing cooperation between the two neighboring nations.
The purpose of the high-level discussions, which began on Friday, is to review existing bilateral agreements and charting a course for enhanced collaboration across multiple sectors.
The meeting brings together senior government officials and technical experts from both sides, with a shared focus on strengthening trade relations, boosting economic integration, and fostering closer people-to-people connections.
According to Somali officials in attendance, the committee is reviewing a broad range of cooperation frameworks, some of which have remained dormant in recent years due to political tensions and regional instability.
Discussions are centered on improving cross-border trade, easing movement of goods and people, and implementing infrastructure and economic development initiatives that benefit both nations.
“This meeting is an opportunity to reset and refocus our bilateral cooperation. We are keen to move beyond rhetoric and begin implementing tangible projects that will improve the lives of our citizens,” said one Somali delegate.
The Ethiopian side echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the need for practical engagement and sustained dialogue.
Despite historical frictions and recent disputes, particularly regarding Ethiopia’s controversial port access deal with Somaliland, both governments appear committed to recalibrating their relationship. The launch of the joint technical committee is seen as a confidence-building measure and a step toward broader diplomatic normalization.
Observers note that increased cooperation between Somalia and Ethiopia—two of the most populous and strategically located countries in the Horn of Africa—could have significant ripple effects for regional trade, security, and integration under the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) framework.
The meeting is expected to continue over the weekend, with the two delegations set to issue a joint communiqué outlining agreed areas of cooperation and next steps.
This renewed engagement reflects growing recognition on both sides that durable peace and prosperity in the region are best served through mutual respect, collaboration, and economic interdependence.