Mogadishu – In a significant move aimed at reinforcing bilateral cooperation, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has stressed the importance of establishing joint commissions with Ethiopia to advance shared interests and address common priorities.
According to a statement from Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Somali leader made the remarks during a diplomatic meeting with Ethiopia’s newly appointed Ambassador to Somalia, Suleiman Dedefo, who formally presented his credentials at Villa Somalia earlier this week.
President Mohamud underscored the need for structured collaboration through joint commissions in key sectors, including trade, security, infrastructure, and cultural exchange. He expressed optimism that enhanced dialogue and cooperation would not only serve national interests but also foster lasting stability in the Horn of Africa.
“The President emphasized the importance of establishing joint commissions in various fields to advance shared interests and identify priorities between the two sisterly countries,” the Ethiopian ministry said in its statement.
Amb. Dedefo, a seasoned diplomat, conveyed Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s greetings and reaffirmed Addis Ababa’s commitment to a peaceful and prosperous relationship with Mogadishu. He also lauded Somalia’s progress in governance and state-building, expressing Ethiopia’s readiness to support Somalia’s development trajectory.
This development comes amid heightened regional tensions, particularly over Ethiopia’s controversial maritime Memorandum of Understanding with Somaliland. However, both sides appeared keen on toning down diplomatic friction in favor of renewed engagement based on mutual respect and dialogue.
The move to activate joint commissions signals a potential thaw in relations and a shift toward structured cooperation between the two neighbors, whose fates are deeply intertwined in terms of security, trade routes, and regional diplomacy.
Observers say the success of such commissions will depend on the political will of both nations to address contentious issues while promoting people-to-people ties and economic integration across borders.