Ethiopian, Somalian FMs Discuss Boosting Bilateral Ties, Amisom

ADDIS ABABA Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Ethiopia, Demeke Mekonnen on Wednesday met with Foreing Minister of Somalia, Abdisaid Muse Ali, in Addis Ababa.

“The two sides discussed ways to further boost their bilateral relations and current situations in Ethiopia,” the Ministry of Foreign Affair (MoFA) said in a statement today.

According to MoFA, the two have also discussed, in particular, points of cooperation in the AU peacekeeping mission in Somalia (AMISOM) where Ethiopian peacekeeping forces are partaking.

Discussing current situations in Ethiopia, Demeke described in detail peace efforts that the government has been undertaking lately.

He mentioned the government’s decision to withhold the advance of its troops from entering Tigray, the release of high political figures from prison and the proposed all-inclusive dialogue that aimed to discuss and settle age-old questions at a national level.

Although the government is committed to cooperate with humanitarian operators to provide all the necessary aid for the Tigray Region, he said the TPLF has continued its disregard to the well-being of the people in Tigray by launching fresh attacks on Aba’ala, the Afar region, further obstructing the humanitarian process, reads the statement.

The Deputy Prime also extended his appreciation for the government of Somalia for taking the right decision during the special session on Ethiopia that was initiated by the UN Human Rights body in Geneva.

Abdisaid Muse Ali, on his part, thanked Demeke for the thorough briefing on the peace efforts in Ethiopia.

He pledged to further cement the relationships between the two countries through expanded engagements, says the Foreign ministry.