Ethiopia’s leader visited Somalia on Thursday, a trip that signifies improving relations between the two neighbors after a sharp rise in tensions last year

With an economy that is growing consistently by more than six percent every year, the vital importance of access to the sea for Ethiopia cannot be overemphasized. The outlet that Ethiopia currently uses is obviously not enough to accommodate all the transactions of such a huge and growing economy.

Somalia and Ethiopia have vowed cooperation, seemingly putting a year of tensions behind them. The declaration came on Thursday as Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed made his first official visit to Mogadishu in more than a year, in a bid to end the animosity between the two sides, which have been at loggerheads in both public and private.

Ethiopia’s Premier Abiy Ahmed pays first visit to Somalia since Ankara Declaration in December - Anadolu Ajansı

Ethiopia and Somalia are on a path for renewed cooperation after the two sides agreed to end the Somaliland port dispute. Last week, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed toured Mogadishu and held talks with Somalian President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia was welcomed in the Somali capital of Mogadishu by Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. Abiy’s visit comes as the two sides are attempting to mend a rift ...