Ethiopia Seeks Peace with Somalia and Cooperation with Egypt

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has reassured lawmakers that the country is only interested in peace with its neighbor, Somalia, over its quest for sea access. Ethiopia signed a memorandum of understanding with Somaliland on January 1, which has caused tensions with Somalia, which claims that Somaliland is part of Somalia.

Abiy stated that he had no intention of going to war with Somalia and that Ethiopia’s troop contributions to the African Union peacekeeping mission fighting the extremist group al-Shabab in Somalia have ensured peace.

He also expressed hope that Egypt will accommodate Ethiopia’s requests over the hydroelectric dam being built on the Blue Nile, which Ethiopia claims will not negatively affect downstream Sudan and Egypt’s water supply. Despite several rounds of talks, the sides have not reached an agreement to regulate the dam’s use.