Somalia: New president Hassan Sheikh pledges to work with Ethiopia's PM

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The newly elected Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has pledged to work with embattled Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, in what could shape the current political dynamics in the Horn of Africa, which is struggling with instability.

Hassan Sheikh was on Sunday overwhelmingly elected by a majority of lawmakers, who severed ties with outgoing President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, a close ally of Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

The two had been working closely, even signing a Tripartite pact, which promotes trade in Somalia, Ethiopia and Eritrea. Farmajo rekindled the relationship between Mogadishu and Addis Ababa along with Asmara after a long spell of suspicions.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed for the best wishes on his re-election. He insisted on working on bilateral ties between the two sisterly nations in the Horn of Africa.

In his response to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud noted: “I look forward to working closely with you on common bilateral and regional interests.” Abiy Ahmed congratulated Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on victory.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on Tuesday that Ethiopia and Somalia are working to establish a joint Ministerial Committee with a view to elevating their bilateral relations in multifaceted areas of cooperation.

Elsewhere on Tuesday, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud continues meetings with foreign diplomatic missions in Mogadishu. He was visited by the Ambassadors of Turkey, Qatar, UAE, and Saudi Arabia, among others. Throughout his campaigns, he insisted on promoting solid foreign policy.

GAROWE ONLINE