It is abundantly clear that the Ankara Declaration signed between Ethiopia and Somalia will grease the wheels of stronger regional cooperation between the two nations, the Horn of Africa region and beyond at the earliest possible juncture. For the sake of truth, the pact is anticipated to resolve quandaries orbiting around the two nations as well as consolidate peace, stability, and other related aspects in the Horn of Africa region and beyond.
Apart from resolving longstanding diplomatic issues, the declaration will take the Horn of Africa to new frontiers and perspectives sooner rather than later. All things considered, the pledge to resolve confrontational matters through round table discussion will ensure stability and peace in the region through the passage of time.
In the present circumstances, following the Ankara Declaration, Ethiopia’s arch foes have set in motion bending over backwards to drag through the mud the encouraging moves of the two nations. As nothing makes them happier than bewildering the international community as a whole, they over and over again come up with their bare-faced lies and cooked-up stories.
In a similar vein, as they have been displeased by the signing of the agreement between Ethiopia and Somalia, some groups have jumpstarted mystifying the international community with bogus stories that do not reflect the existing and concert reality on the ground with a focus on putting cold water on the positive moves of the Ankara declaration.
With respect to their cooked-up stories, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia released a press statement against the evil deeds of certain segments that have been working at all hours of the day and night to smudge the extremely significant move unfolding between Ethiopia and Somalia.
As stated by the press statement released by MoFA, Ethiopia is dismayed by the statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Government of Somalia on 23 December 2024, which makes allegations against the Ethiopian forces for the incident in the town of Doolow, Somalia. This allegation is not true.
The press statement went on to say that the incident is instigated by certain elements intent on derailing the normalization of relations between Ethiopia and Somalia. These third parties are intent on destabilizing the Horn of Africa and are perennial spoilers of peace in the region. They should not be allowed to frustrate the commitment of the two countries to peace as expressed in the Ankara Declaration. The Government of Ethiopia will continue working with the relevant agencies of the Federal Government of Somalia to prevent similar incidents.
Ethiopia values and upholds its commitment to revitalize and deepen the fraternal relations between the two countries in the spirit of the Ankara Declaration. The resolve and courage of the leaders of the two countries will also continue to reinforce the bilateral partnership and broader regional cooperation.
Often times Ethiopia’s adversaries leave no stone unturned to up the ante in the Horn of Africa and put the region in a tight corner as well as between a rock and a hard place. More often than not they make every possible effort to turn the lives of the people of the region into a living hell.
Thanks to the heroic deeds of the Ethiopian National Defense Forces, the country’s adversaries have failed several times to materialize their dreams.
The two nations’ promising strides without a shred of a doubt would take the Horn of Africa to new possibilities and fresh approach down the road. What is more, the Ankara Declaration gives a clear signal for external forces that have been bending over backwards to move the whole thing in the region from a bad to a worse one cannot attain their desired goal.
All their efforts have been getting off the track and turning out to be unachievable mission and insurmountable obstacle.
State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Mesganu Arga, held talks with Ali Mohamed Omar, Somalia’s State Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation recently in Addis Ababa, according to MoFA.
On the occasion, Ambassador Mesganu emphasized that the peoples of Ethiopia and Somalia share inseparable opportunities for mutual prosperity. He stressed the importance of the two countries working collaboratively to address challenges and seeking solutions through dialogue and cooperation.
Ambassador Mesganu also acknowledged Ethiopia’s considerable sacrifices to ensure peace in Somalia. The State Minister further reaffirmed Ethiopia’s commitment to the implementation of the Ankara Declaration. He highlighted that strengthening the partnership between the two countries is essential for ensuring long-term peace, stability, and development in the region.
Somalia’s State Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ali Mohamed Omar, for his part, reiterated Somalia’s commitment to the swift implementation of the Ankara Declaration. He noted that his presence in Addis Ababa underscores Somalia’s readiness to uphold the agreement, emphasizing the Somali government’s commitment to strengthening peace and promoting mutual development through partnership with Ethiopia.
In a joint press briefing following the talks, the two state ministers affirmed their resolve to continue the ongoing dialogue, and work more closely on bilateral and regional issues of common interest.
BY ADDISALEM MULAT
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 27 DECEMBER 2024
