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Ethiopia has taken a major diplomatic step by officially resuming full diplomatic relations with Somalia after months of serious tension between the two neighbouring countries. On Tuesday, Ethiopia’s newly appointed ambassador to Somalia, Suleiman Dedefo, formally presented his credentials to President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud at the presidential palace in Mogadishu. The event marks a significant breakthrough in diplomatic relations, which had been nearly frozen since early 2024.
Ambassador Suleiman Dedefo, who now represents Ethiopia in Somalia, described his meeting with the Somali President as productive and promising. He said their discussion focused on restoring friendly ties, enhancing trade and economic collaboration, and strengthening regional security cooperation.
“I had the honor to present my letter of credence to His Excellency President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, President of the Federal Republic of Somalia. On the occasion, we discussed strengthening diplomatic ties, boosting economic relations, and enhancing security cooperation,” Ambassador Dedefo said after the ceremony.
This latest move is being seen as part of a broader effort by both countries to rebuild trust and resolve lingering issues through peaceful means. The diplomatic crisis that led to the fallout between Ethiopia and Somalia was caused by a controversial agreement between Ethiopia and Somaliland, a semi-autonomous region in northern Somalia.
In January 2024, the Ethiopian government signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Somaliland that reportedly gave Ethiopia access to part of the Red Sea through Somaliland’s coast. In exchange, Ethiopia was expected to consider recognising Somaliland as an independent state in the future. The deal also included undisclosed security cooperation arrangements. However, Somalia strongly rejected the agreement, calling it an attack on its sovereignty and territorial integrity, as it does not recognise Somaliland as a separate country.
The fallout was immediate and intense. Diplomatic channels between Addis Ababa and Mogadishu went cold, and both countries began issuing harsh public statements. Somalia called back its ambassador from Ethiopia, and regional leaders grew concerned about the rising tension in the already fragile Horn of Africa region.
The breakthrough began towards the end of 2024. With the help of Turkey, both countries agreed to sit at the negotiation table. In December 2024, they signed the Ankara Declaration, a peace initiative brokered by Turkish diplomats. This agreement helped to calm the situation, with both Ethiopia and Somalia agreeing to respect each other’s territorial integrity and to resume formal dialogue on the issue of sea access.
The Ankara Declaration also created a framework for technical negotiations and encouraged both countries to engage in confidence-building measures. Since then, there have been several meetings between senior officials on both sides, aimed at repairing diplomatic relations and finding peaceful solutions to outstanding problems.
Now, with the appointment of Suleiman Dedefo as Ethiopia’s ambassador to Somalia, the two countries are clearly taking concrete steps toward reconciliation. According to foreign affairs analysts, the ambassador’s deployment signals Ethiopia’s willingness to reset its relationship with Somalia and work within diplomatic frameworks.
Somali officials have welcomed the gesture, though they have not shifted their position on the Somaliland issue. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has repeatedly said that Somalia’s unity and sovereignty are non-negotiable, and any foreign country trying to make deals with Somaliland is violating international law.
Despite these differences, both Mogadishu and Addis Ababa have expressed interest in keeping the peace and focusing on shared priorities like regional stability, security cooperation, trade development, and economic integration.
Observers believe that while the diplomatic road ahead remains challenging, the resumption of ambassadorial duties and high-level talks is a step in the right direction for both countries and the entire Horn of Africa.
The Horn of Africa, which includes Ethiopia, Somalia, Djibouti, and Eritrea, is a region that has struggled with conflicts, climate crises, terrorism, and political instability for decades. Experts say improved Ethiopia-Somalia relations could set an example for other regional players to prioritise dialogue over confrontation.
As Ambassador Dedefo settles into his new role, both countries are expected to continue engaging on delicate matters including Ethiopia’s desire for sea access, Somali territorial integrity, and regional counterterrorism efforts. The international community, especially the African Union (AU) and United Nations (UN), is also watching closely to support peaceful progress in the region.
