Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed crisscrossed the Horn of Africa in a span of few days with Somalia being his latest stop. The premier paid a visit to Sudan last week as he reaffirmed his country’s readiness to bolster bilateral and regional cooperation. Ethiopia has been the linchpin in the peace and security of the region.
Considered an anchor state in the Horn, the country has been a major force behind the precarious region’s stability. Having deployed peacekeeping forces in Sudan, South Sudan, and Somalia, the country’s contribution to curbing regional calamities has been indispensable.
The country even maintained its commitment to regional peace by keeping its peacekeeping missions even when it was caught in internal conflicts. Ethiopia’s troops under AMISOM have been a driving force in weakening the terrorist Al-Shebab group paving the way for a relatively stable Somalia. Ethiopia’s forces have been successful combatants in executing operations. Some members of the mission have even paid the ultimate price in safeguarding the people of Somalia and Sudan.
Despite little headways, Al-Shabab and other militants pose an unprecedented security threat to the region. Terrorism has long become a regional problem with nations working together and signing security pacts to fight the common challenge.
And, lately, Prime Minister Abiy met with regional leaders conferring on a wide range of matters. Abiy arrived on Tuesday in Mogadishu, Somalia to participate in the regional forum convened towards strengthening the campaign against Al-Shabaab in East Africa.
The leaders’ discussion, according to the PM Office, was aimed at providing regional solutions to regional problems. To this end, it is expected that the countries of the region will jointly plan to eliminate terrorism, collect timely support, and advise on issues where they can combat terrorism in different ways.
The Premier, alongside his delegation, was received by Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, and Abshir Omar Jama, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Somalia During his stay, Abiy also held a brief discussion with Ethiopian national defense forces who are deployed to fight al-Shabaab in Mogadishu under the auspices of the African Union Transitional Mission in Somalia (ATMIS).
The Prime Minister’s statement on Twitter indicated that he was briefed by members of ENDF operating in Somalia under ATMIS to fight Al-Shabaab terror group.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Kenyan President William Ruto have discussed ways of strengthening bilateral ties between their two countries on the sideline of the Somalia-Frontline States Summit. The two leaders explored ways of strengthening bilateral ties between the two nations through infrastructure development, increasing trade and investment as well as regional issues.
During his stay, Abiy vowed his country’s resolve to overcome regional challenges and foster cooperation among the countries of the region toward integration. For quite a long now, Ethiopia has been an ardent protector of regional peace and left an indelible mark in the fight against Al-Shabab. Now that the country is able to restore internal stability, the country will continue to be at forefront of a regional effort to eradicate terrorism and ensure stability.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2023
