Eritrea
The presidents of Somalia and Eritrea on Monday signed an agreement to establish diplomatic ties after over a decade of animosity, in the latest fast-track rapprochement in the Horn of Africa.
“The two countries will establish diplomatic relations and exchange ambassadors,” said a “joint declaration on brotherly relations” signed in Asmara by Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki and Somali counterpart Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed.
Mohamed’s three-day visit to Asmara coincides with an extraordinary peace process between Eritrea and Ethiopia – part of dizzying change in a region burdened by war, proxy conflicts, isolation and iron-fisted rule.
Once close, Somalia and Eritrea fell out over a decade ago as Asmara stood accused of backing Islamist militants on Somali soil in a proxy war with Ethiopia.
Eritrea long denied this, but was slapped with UN sanctions over its alleged backing of Al-Shabaab in 2009.
“Eritrea strongly supports the political independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia as well as the efforts of the people and government of Somalia to restore the country’s rightful stature and achieve the lofty aspirations of its people,” read the declaration.
The document, posted on Eritrea’s information ministry website, also said the two nations “will endeavor to forge intimate political, economic, social, cultural as well as defense and security cooperation.”
They will in addition “work in unison to foster regional peace, stability and economic integration.”
AFP
01:08
Bangladeshi ship seized off Somali coast is freed after more than a month
01:04
Kenya proposes treaty to ease Somalia-Ethiopia tensions
Go to video
Why has the Somalia-Ethiopia row deepened?
01:10
Somalia: Puntland refuses to recognise federal government after disputed constitutional changes
00:59
Somalia parliament passes bill allowing President appoint PM
01:06
Somalia gains full membership of East African Community