Friday January 3, 2025
Mogadishu (HOL) — Ethiopia’s Defense Minister, Engineer
Aisha Mohammed, held high-level meetings in Mogadishu on Thursday with Somali
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Defense Minister Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur Jama,
and State Minister for Foreign Affairs.
The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral ties and
advancing regional peace and stability.
According to Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the two
nations agreed to collaborate on the AU Support and Stabilization Mission in
Somalia (AUSSOM) and pledged to enhance diplomatic engagements,
including reciprocal visits by senior officials. Somali leaders are expected to
visit Addis Ababa soon as part of these efforts.
Somalia’s Defense Minister Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur Jama expressed
gratitude for Ethiopia’s contributions to peacekeeping and counterterrorism
efforts in Somalia. While Minister Aisha Mohammed reaffirmed Ethiopia’s
commitment to combating terrorism and maintaining stability in the region.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Mesganu Arga,
highlighted the shared challenges both nations face, stressing the importance
of addressing security issues promptly to prevent conflicts from impeding
progress on development agendas.
AUSSOM, which succeeded the African Union Transition Mission
in Somalia (ATMIS) at the start of the year, aims to guide Somalia toward
sustainable peace and security while supporting its state-building processes.