Mogadishu: An Ethiopian delegation led by Field Marshal Birhanu Jula, Chief of Ethiopia National Defence Force, conducted a one-day working visit to the Federal Republic of Somalia. This visit was a follow-up to the recent bilateral engagement between Dr. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, President of Somalia, and Dr. Abiy Ahmed, Prime Minister of Ethiopia, held in Addis Ababa from February 14-16, 2025.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, the visit included technical discussions in Mogadishu as per the agreement reached during the bilateral engagement. Field Marshal Birhanu Jula was accompanied by Redwan Hussein, head of the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS), along with other government officials. In Somalia, they were received by Maj. Gen. Odawa Yusuf Rage, Chief of Defense Forces of the Somali National Armed Forces, and Amb. Abdullahi Mohamed Ali, Director of the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA).
The leaders exchanged views on the security situation in Somalia and the broader region, emphasizing the importance of maintaining peace, security, and stability in the Horn of Africa and across the continent. They acknowledged the contributions of the Troop and Police Contributing Countries (T/PCCs) of the AU MISSION in Somalia and Somali Security Forces in the fight against Al-Shabaab since 2007.
Both parties welcomed the start of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) and stressed the need to build on the achievements of its predecessor, ATMIS. They also highlighted the role of the Ethiopian National Defence Force (ENDF) in African Union peace support operations and Ethiopia’s contribution to regional peace and stability.
The discussions underscored the importance of Ethiopia’s diplomatic efforts in mitigating disputes and its commitment to combating terrorism for lasting regional peace. Both parties emphasized the need to support efforts against al-Shabaab and expressed their commitment to work together in countering terrorism. The discussions praised Ethiopia’s crucial role in regional stability and noted the positive outcomes of the Ankara declaration.