Mogadishu, Somalia – February 22, 2025 – Following recent high-level discussions between H.E. Dr. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, and H.E. Dr. Abiy Ahmed, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, in Addis Ababa from February 14-16, 2025, both leaders agreed to hold technical consultations in Mogadishu to enhance security cooperation.
In line with this understanding, Field Marshal Birhanu Jula, Chief of the Ethiopian National Defence Force (ENDF), led a high-level delegation on a one-day working visit to Somalia. Accompanying him was Redwan Hussein, Director of Ethiopia’s National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS), along with senior government officials.
Upon arrival in Mogadishu, Maj. Gen. Odawa Yusuf Rage, Chief of the Somali National Armed Forces (SNAF), and Amb. Abdullahi Mohamed Ali, Director of the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), welcomed the Ethiopian delegation, underscoring the strong and historical partnership between the two nations in regional security and stability.
During their discussions, both sides exchanged views on regional security dynamics, emphasizing their shared commitment to peace, stability, and counterterrorism efforts in the Horn of Africa. They acknowledged the significant sacrifices made by Somali security forces and African Union (AU) peacekeeping personnel in combating Al-Shabaab and restoring order in Somalia since 2007.
The Chiefs welcomed the transition from the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) to the newly established African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). They reaffirmed their commitment to collaborative security operations under the new framework and recognized Ethiopia’s role in AU-led peace support missions.
Both parties stressed the importance of sustained international support for Somalia’s security forces and urged the global community to bolster Somalia’s capacity in counterterrorism and stabilization initiatives.
In their deliberations, the Somali and Ethiopian defense leaders emphasized the principle of mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity. They affirmed that any security or defense cooperation between the two nations would be conducted through the Federal Government of Somalia as the sole interlocutor.
Additionally, both sides agreed to advance the development of a Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) for Ethiopian troops operating in Somalia, ensuring that their deployment aligns with the existing Memorandum of Understanding on Defense Cooperation, signed in December 2023.
The visit reaffirms the commitment of Somalia and Ethiopia to strengthening bilateral security cooperation, counterterrorism coordination, and regional peace efforts.
