Somalia and Ethiopia are set to restore full diplomatic relations after a visit by Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to Addis Ababa, as efforts intensify to heal a year-long rift that threatened further instability in the Horn of Africa.
Mr Mohamud and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed “agreed to restore and enhance their bilateral relations through full diplomatic relations in their respective capitals”, they said in a joint statement on X.
Land-locked Ethiopia's desire for access to the sea had deepened long-standing grievances between the two neighbours. Somalia was outraged when Ethiopia signed a deal one year ago with its breakaway region of Somaliland, reportedly to recognise its independence in exchange for a port and military base on the Red Sea. Ethiopia's ambassador in Mogadishu was expelled in April last year and the countries broke off diplomatic ties.
The row was defused by a peace deal last month, mediated by Turkey and signed by both leaders. During Mr Mohamud's visit to the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa on Saturday they reiterated their commitment to the deal and its “spirit of friendship and solidarity”. They also discussed deepening trade and security co-operation against “extremist militant groups”.
Many questions remain unresolved. Although Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said last month's deal would eventually give Ethiopia some type of sea access, it is not clear what form this would take. The fate of Ethiopia's deal with Somaliland is also uncertain.
Hours before Saturday's presidential visit, Somalia's Foreign Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi met his Egyptian and Eritrean counterparts. The three countries have found common ground in opposing Ethiopia's ambitions and made a veiled reference to their rival.
“The Red Sea and its security is subject only to the will of the countries on its coast, and it is absolutely unacceptable for any country not bordering the Red Sea to have a presence, whether military, naval or otherwise,” said Egypt's Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty.
Egypt, Eritrea and Somalia forged a new regional alliance in October at a summit in the Eritrean capital Asmara, and the foreign ministers said on Saturday that more would follow.
Shared concerns about Ethiopia have also pushed Egypt and Somalia into closer military ties. Egyptian troops have joined the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia, an updated international coalition to fight Somali extremists that is scheduled to be launched this month.
Cairo has been embroiled in a long dispute with Addis Ababa over the latter's construction of a dam on the Blue Nile, by far the river's largest tributary. Downstream Egypt and Sudan say the nearly-complete dam threatens their share of the river's water, with Cairo insisting it poses an existential threat to its 107 million people.
Mr Abdelatty also discussed with the two ministers the civil war in Sudan, a 20-month-old conflict in which Egypt and Ethiopia are on opposing ends.
Mr Abdelatty said his country, Eritrea and Somalia would be providing training to the Sudanese Armed Forces in its fight against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, whose actions he described as “terrorism”.
Since the start of the new year, Egypt's Foreign Ministry has intensified its diplomatic engagement in several African countries, with Mr Abdelatty conducting a series of phone calls with counterparts from Guinea-Bissau, Congo, Kenya, Cameroon, Chad and Djibouti.
Mr Abdelatty reaffirmed Egypt's willingness to engage in economic projects with Horn of Africa nations and its commitment to maintaining the “integrity and unity” of the region.
Analysts say the increased engagement is a bid by Egypt to enhance its regional influence and address concerns related to the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. Egypt has sought to sign a binding deal with Ethiopia over the operation of the dam, a demand which has been rejected by Ethiopia.
– With agencies
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Favourite things
Luxury: Enjoys window shopping for high-end bags and jewellery
Discount: She works in luxury retail, but is careful about spending, waits for sales, festivals and only buys on discount
University: The only person in her family to go to college, Jiang secured a bachelor’s degree in business management in China
Masters: Studying part-time for a master’s degree in international business marketing in Dubai
Vacation: Heads back home to see family in China
Community work: Member of the Chinese Business Women’s Association of the UAE to encourage other women entrepreneurs
Terror attacks in Paris, November 13, 2015
- At 9.16pm, three suicide attackers killed one person outside the Atade de France during a foootball match between France and Germany
- At 9.25pm, three attackers opened fire on restaurants and cafes over 20 minutes, killing 39 people
- Shortly after 9.40pm, three other attackers launched a three-hour raid on the Bataclan, in which 1,500 people had gathered to watch a rock concert. In total, 90 people were killed
- Salah Abdeslam, the only survivor of the terrorists, did not directly participate in the attacks, thought to be due to a technical glitch in his suicide vest
- He fled to Belgium and was involved in attacks on Brussels in March 2016. He is serving a life sentence in France
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Qyubic
Started: October 2023
Founder: Namrata Raina
Based: Dubai
Sector: E-commerce
Current number of staff: 10
Investment stage: Pre-seed
Initial investment: Undisclosed
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START-UPS%20IN%20BATCH%204%20OF%20SANABIL%20500'S%20ACCELERATOR%20PROGRAMME
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THE%C2%A0SPECS
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Three trading apps to try
Sharad Nair recommends three investment apps for UAE residents:
- For beginners or people who want to start investing with limited capital, Mr Nair suggests eToro. “The low fees and low minimum balance requirements make the platform more accessible,” he says. “The user interface is straightforward to understand and operate, while its social element may help ease beginners into the idea of investing money by looking to a virtual community.”
- If you’re an experienced investor, and have $10,000 or more to invest, consider Saxo Bank. “Saxo Bank offers a more comprehensive trading platform with advanced features and insight for more experienced users. It offers a more personalised approach to opening and operating an account on their platform,” he says.
- Finally, StashAway could work for those who want a hands-off approach to their investing. “It removes one of the biggest challenges for novice traders: picking the securities in their portfolio,” Mr Nair says. “A goal-based approach or view towards investing can help motivate residents who may usually shy away from investment platforms.”
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
EGYPT SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Ahmed El Shennawy, Mohamed El Shennawy, Mohamed Abou-Gabal, Mahmoud Abdel Rehem "Genesh"
Defenders: Ahmed Elmohamady, Ahmed Hegazi, Omar Gaber, Ali Gazal, Ayman Ahsraf, Mahmoud Hamdy, Baher Elmohamady, Ahmed Ayman Mansour, Mahmoud Alaa, Ahmed Abou-Elfotouh
Midfielders: Walid Soliman, Abdallah El Said, Mohamed Elneny, Tarek Hamed, Mahmoud “Trezeguet” Hassan, Amr Warda, Nabil Emad
Forwards: Ahmed Ali, Mohamed Salah, Marwan Mohsen, Ahmed "Kouka" Hassan.
The specS: 2018 Toyota Camry
Price: base / as tested: Dh91,000 / Dh114,000
Engine: 3.5-litre V6
Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 298hp @ 6,600rpm
Torque: 356Nm @ 4,700rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 7.0L / 100km
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin
Director: Shawn Levy
Rating: 3/5
