# Somalia and Ethiopia

> Somalia–Ethiopia relations: the Ogaden wars, the 1988 accord, the 2024 Somaliland port deal, the Ankara Declaration, khat trade, envoys and visits.

Source page: https://calankii.com/en/relations/ethiopia/
Last checked: 2026-11-13
Publisher: Calankii (https://calankii.com)

## How do Somalia and Ethiopia relate today?

Relations are open again after a sharp rupture in 2024. On 1 January 2024 Ethiopia signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Somaliland on sea access at Berbera ([Al Jazeera, 1 January 2024](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/1/1/ethiopia-signs-agreement-to-use-somalilands-red-sea-port)). Somalia's cabinet declared the MoU "null and void" and recalled its ambassador the next day ([SONNA, 2 January 2024](https://sonna.so/en/somalia-recalls-its-ambassador-to-ethiopia-says-mou-with-somaliland-to-be-null-and-void)).

Turkey brokered the Ankara Declaration, agreed on 11 December 2024 by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed ([Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs](https://mfa.gov.tr/etiyopya-federal-demokratik-cumhuriyeti-ve-somali-federal-cumhuriyeti-nin-ankara-bildirisi.en.mfa)). In January 2025 the two governments agreed to restore "full diplomatic representation" in each other's capitals ([Garowe Online, 13 January 2025](https://garoweonline.com/index.php/en/news/somalia/somalia-ethiopia-restore-diplomatic-ties-after-addis-ababa-talks)).

Ethiopia's new ambassador, [Suleiman](/en/society/saleebaan-habar-gidir/) Dedefo, presented his credentials in Mogadishu on 5 August 2025 ([Africanews, 6 August 2025](https://www.africanews.com/2025/08/06/ethiopia-appoints-new-envoy-to-somalia-as-ties-improve/)). The two leaders met for the fourth time in six months when Hassan Sheikh visited Addis Ababa, ending on 29 June 2026 ([RFI via AllAfrica, 30 June 2026](https://fr.allafrica.com/stories/202606300172.html)). They met again in Addis Ababa on 29 September 2026 ([Garowe Online, 11 November 2026](https://www.garoweonline.com/en/news/somalia/hassan-sheikh-and-abiy-meet-as-somalia-ethiopia-relations-face-regional-challenges)). On 5 October 2026 Hassan Sheikh congratulated Abiy on his new term and said he would work "to strengthen Somalia-Ethiopia relations" ([Dawan Africa, 5 October 2026](https://www.dawan.africa/news/somalia-president-vows-closer-ties-with-ethiopia-after-abiy-re-election)). On 11 November 2026 the two met in Antalya, Turkey, before the COP31 climate summit, to discuss security in Somalia and the region ([Garowe Online, 11 November 2026](https://www.garoweonline.com/en/news/somalia/hassan-sheikh-and-abiy-meet-as-somalia-ethiopia-relations-face-regional-challenges)).

## When did contact begin?

The two peoples have lived side by side for centuries, and the Ethiopian–Somali frontier was drawn in the colonial era. For that story see [Partition 1884–1926](/en/history/partition-1884-1926/) and the [Haud transfer of 1954–1955](/en/history/haud-transfer-1954-1955/).

Trouble began soon after Somalia's independence in July 1960. Clashes between Ethiopian border guards and Somali herders led both sides to reinforce the frontier ([MIT CASCON case study](https://web.mit.edu/cascon/cases/case_sek.html)). In January 1964 fighting broke out, and Somalia declared a state of emergency ([MIT CASCON](https://web.mit.edu/cascon/cases/case_sek.html)).

The Organisation of African Unity (OAU) Council of Ministers passed a resolution on the dispute on 29 February 1964 ([OAU CM/Res.16 (II), AfricanLII](https://AGP.AfricanLii.org/akn/aa-au/doc/resolution/au-ec/1964/16/eng@1964-02-29)). Talks in Khartoum, with [Sudan](/en/diaspora/sudan/)'s President Ibrahim Abboud mediating, produced a ceasefire from 1 April 1964 and a joint border commission ([US Office of the Historian, FRUS 1964–68, vol. XXIV](https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1964-68v24/d289); [MIT CASCON](https://web.mit.edu/cascon/cases/case_sek.html)).

The Ogaden war ran from July 1977 to March 1978 ([ICRC, 2018](https://www.icrc.org/en/document/somalia-ethiopia-war-memory-prisoners)). See [The Ogaden war of 1977](/en/history/ogaden-war-1977/) and [The 1982 border war](/en/history/ethiopian-somali-border-war-1982/).

On 3 April 1988 the two states signed an agreement that normalised relations and provided for the return of all prisoners ([ICRC, 2018](https://www.icrc.org/en/document/somalia-ethiopia-war-memory-prisoners)). Nearly 4,000 prisoners of war and interned civilians, held since the Ogaden war, were then released ([ICRC, 2018](https://www.icrc.org/en/document/somalia-ethiopia-war-memory-prisoners)).

## Who are the ambassadors and envoys?

**Ethiopia to Somalia**

- **Seyoum Mesfin**, Ethiopia's foreign minister, opened Ethiopia's embassy in Mogadishu, near the presidential palace, in May 2007 ([Al Jazeera, 28 May 2007](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2007/05/2008525132253179278.html)).
- **Abdiaziz Ahmed Aden**, ambassador until 2017 ([Garowe Online, 9 March 2017](https://garoweonline.com/en/news/somalia/somalia-ethiopia-appoints-new-ambassador-to-somalia)).
- **Jamaludin Mustafa Omar**, formerly deputy ambassador, named ambassador in March 2017 ([Garowe Online, 9 March 2017](https://garoweonline.com/en/news/somalia/somalia-ethiopia-appoints-new-ambassador-to-somalia)).
- **Muktar Mohamed Ware**, ambassador until Somalia gave him 72 hours to leave on 4 April 2024 ([Al Jazeera, 4 April 2024](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/4/4/somalia-expels-ethiopian-ambassador-amid-somaliland-port-deal)).
- **Suleiman Dedefo Woshe**, ambassador since 5 August 2025 ([Africanews, 6 August 2025](https://www.africanews.com/2025/08/06/ethiopia-appoints-new-envoy-to-somalia-as-ties-improve/)).

**Somalia to Ethiopia**

- **Abdullahi Mohamed Warfa**, ambassador in Addis Ababa, recalled for consultation on 2 January 2024 ([SONNA, 2 January 2024](https://sonna.so/en/somalia-recalls-its-ambassador-to-ethiopia-says-mou-with-somaliland-to-be-null-and-void)).

**Missions:** Ethiopia has an embassy in Mogadishu. It also ran consulates general in Hargeisa and Garowe, which Somalia ordered closed in April 2024 ([Al Jazeera, 4 April 2024](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/4/4/somalia-expels-ethiopian-ambassador-amid-somaliland-port-deal)). Somalia has an embassy in Addis Ababa, where the African Union is also based. In October 2026 [Puntland](/en/states/puntland/)'s acting president met Ethiopia's consul ([AllAfrica, 12 October 2026](https://allafrica.com/stories/202610120060.html)).

## Who built the tie?

- **Ibrahim Abboud**, President of Sudan, mediated the 1964 ceasefire ([US Office of the Historian](https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1964-68v24/d289)).
- **Siad Barre and Mengistu Haile Mariam** signed the 3 April 1988 normalisation accord ([ICRC, 2018](https://www.icrc.org/en/document/somalia-ethiopia-war-memory-prisoners)).
- **Seyoum Mesfin**, foreign minister, reopened Ethiopia's Mogadishu embassy in May 2007 and met more than 60 political, religious and clan leaders ([Al Jazeera, 2007](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2007/05/2008525132253179278.html)).
- **Mohamed [Ali Gedi](/en/people/ali-mohammed-ghedi/)**, interim prime minister in 2007, called Ethiopia "the number one friend of this country" at the opening ([Al Jazeera, 2007](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2007/05/2008525132253179278.html)).
- **Abiy Ahmed and Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo** agreed in Mogadishu on 16 June 2018 to invest jointly in four seaports ([Arab News, 16 June 2018](https://www.arabnews.pk/node/1322551)).
- **Isaias Afwerki**, President of Eritrea, signed the three-way cooperation declaration with Abiy and Farmaajo in Asmara on 5 September 2018 ([PA-X Peace Agreements Database](https://www.peaceagreements.org/view/2099)).
- **Tewolde GebreMariam**, Ethiopian Airlines chief executive, announced the airline's return to Mogadishu in November 2018 ([Africanews, 11 November 2018](https://www.africanews.com/2018/11/11/ethiopian-touches-down-in-somalia-first-time-in-4-decades/)).
- **Muse Bihi Abdi**, then President of Somaliland, signed the January 2024 MoU with Abiy ([Al Jazeera, 1 January 2024](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/1/1/ethiopia-signs-agreement-to-use-somalilands-red-sea-port)).
- **Redwan Hussien**, Ethiopia's national security adviser in 2024, said the MoU would allow commercial marine operations ([Al Jazeera, 1 January 2024](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/1/1/ethiopia-signs-agreement-to-use-somalilands-red-sea-port)). As head of Ethiopia's intelligence service he joined the February 2025 military talks in Mogadishu ([Fana, 22 February 2025](https://www.fanamc.com/english/defense-chiefs-of-staff-of-ethiopia-somalia-agree-on-force-disposition-of-endf-in-the-aussom)).
- **Farhan Jimale**, Somali government spokesperson, announced the January 2024 recall of the ambassador ([SONNA, 2 January 2024](https://sonna.so/en/somalia-recalls-its-ambassador-to-ethiopia-says-mou-with-somaliland-to-be-null-and-void)).
- **Ali Omar**, Somali state minister for foreign affairs, announced the expulsion of Ethiopia's ambassador on 4 April 2024 ([Al Jazeera, 4 April 2024](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/4/4/somalia-expels-ethiopian-ambassador-amid-somaliland-port-deal)).
- **Abdirahman Dahir Adan**, Somaliland foreign minister under President [Abdirahman Irro](/en/people/abdirahman-mohamed-abdullahi-irro/), opened a review of the MoU in January 2025 ([Garowe Online, 7 January 2025](https://www.garoweonline.com/en/news/somaliland/somaliland-reassesses-ethiopia-sea-access-deal-for-recognition)).
- **Recep Tayyip Erdoğan**, President of Turkey, hosted the two leaders and facilitated the Ankara Declaration ([Turkish MFA](https://mfa.gov.tr/etiyopya-federal-demokratik-cumhuriyeti-ve-somali-federal-cumhuriyeti-nin-ankara-bildirisi.en.mfa)).
- **Field Marshal Birhanu Jula** (Ethiopia) and **Major General Odawa Yusuf Rage** (Somalia), chiefs of defence, agreed the Ethiopian place in the new AU mission on 22 February 2025 ([Fana, 22 February 2025](https://www.fanamc.com/english/defense-chiefs-of-staff-of-ethiopia-somalia-agree-on-force-disposition-of-endf-in-the-aussom)).
- **Abdullahi Mohamed Ali**, director of Somalia's [NISA](/en/institutions/nisa/) intelligence agency, took part in the same talks ([Fana, 22 February 2025](https://www.fanamc.com/english/defense-chiefs-of-staff-of-ethiopia-somalia-agree-on-force-disposition-of-endf-in-the-aussom)).

## What agreements have they signed?

- **Khartoum ceasefire, March–April 1964:** troop withdrawal and a joint border commission ([MIT CASCON](https://web.mit.edu/cascon/cases/case_sek.html)).
- **Normalisation accord, 3 April 1988:** normal relations and repatriation of prisoners ([ICRC](https://www.icrc.org/en/document/somalia-ethiopia-war-memory-prisoners)).
- **Joint statement, 16 June 2018:** joint investment in four seaports, plus roads, logistics and visas ([Arab News, 16 June 2018](https://www.arabnews.pk/node/1322551)).
- **Joint Declaration on Comprehensive Cooperation, 5 September 2018:** Ethiopia, [Somalia and Eritrea](/en/relations/eritrea/) pledged close political, economic, social, cultural and security ties ([PA-X](https://www.peaceagreements.org/view/2099)).
- **Defence Cooperation MoU, December 2023:** referred to in the February 2025 chiefs' communiqué ([Fana, 2025](https://www.fanamc.com/english/defense-chiefs-of-staff-of-ethiopia-somalia-agree-on-force-disposition-of-endf-in-the-aussom)).
- **Ankara Declaration, 11 December 2024:** mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity; Ethiopian sea access through commercial deals "under the sovereign authority of the Federal Republic of Somalia"; technical talks by the end of February 2025 ([Turkish MFA](https://mfa.gov.tr/etiyopya-federal-demokratik-cumhuriyeti-ve-somali-federal-cumhuriyeti-nin-ankara-bildirisi.en.mfa)).
- **Restoration of full diplomatic representation, January 2025** ([Garowe Online](https://garoweonline.com/index.php/en/news/somalia/somalia-ethiopia-restore-diplomatic-ties-after-addis-ababa-talks)).
- **Joint communiqué, 27 February 2025:** diplomatic, economic and security cooperation ([Horn Review, 27 February 2025](https://hornreview.org/2025/02/27/somalia-and-ethiopia-reaffirm-strong-bilateral-ties-in-joint-communique/)).

## Which leaders have visited?

- **May 2007:** Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin in Mogadishu ([Al Jazeera](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2007/05/2008525132253179278.html)).
- **16 June 2018:** Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in Mogadishu, the first Ethiopian leader to visit in more than 40 years, according to Reuters reporting ([Arab News](https://www.arabnews.pk/node/1322551)).
- **5 September 2018:** Farmaajo and Abiy in Asmara for the tripartite summit ([PA-X](https://www.peaceagreements.org/view/2099)).
- **11 December 2024:** Hassan Sheikh and Abiy in Ankara ([Turkish MFA](https://mfa.gov.tr/etiyopya-federal-demokratik-cumhuriyeti-ve-somali-federal-cumhuriyeti-nin-ankara-bildirisi.en.mfa)).
- **January 2025:** Hassan Sheikh in Addis Ababa ([Garowe Online](https://garoweonline.com/index.php/en/news/somalia/somalia-ethiopia-restore-diplomatic-ties-after-addis-ababa-talks)).
- **14–16 February 2025:** Hassan Sheikh in Addis Ababa for talks with Abiy ([Fana](https://www.fanamc.com/english/defense-chiefs-of-staff-of-ethiopia-somalia-agree-on-force-disposition-of-endf-in-the-aussom)).
- **22 February 2025:** Ethiopian defence chief Birhanu Jula in Mogadishu ([Fana](https://www.fanamc.com/english/defense-chiefs-of-staff-of-ethiopia-somalia-agree-on-force-disposition-of-endf-in-the-aussom)).
- **27 February 2025:** Abiy on a one-day working visit to Mogadishu ([Horn Review](https://hornreview.org/2025/02/27/somalia-and-ethiopia-reaffirm-strong-bilateral-ties-in-joint-communique/)).
- **28–29 June 2026:** Hassan Sheikh in Addis Ababa for two days ([RFI via AllAfrica](https://fr.allafrica.com/stories/202606300172.html)).
- **29 September 2026:** Hassan Sheikh and Abiy in Addis Ababa ([Garowe Online](https://www.garoweonline.com/en/news/somalia/hassan-sheikh-and-abiy-meet-as-somalia-ethiopia-relations-face-regional-challenges)).
- **11 November 2026:** Hassan Sheikh and Abiy in Antalya, Turkey ([Garowe Online](https://www.garoweonline.com/en/news/somalia/hassan-sheikh-and-abiy-meet-as-somalia-ethiopia-relations-face-regional-challenges)).

## How much do they trade?

Somalia does not report trade data to the UN, so Ethiopia's own customs figures are the main record. Ethiopia reported these exports to Somalia ([UN Comtrade, Ethiopia reporter, 2021](https://comtradeapi.un.org/public/v1/preview/C/A/HS?reporterCode=231&period=2021&partnerCode=706&cmdCode=TOTAL&flowCode=X,M); [2022](https://comtradeapi.un.org/public/v1/preview/C/A/HS?reporterCode=231&period=2022&partnerCode=706&cmdCode=TOTAL&flowCode=X,M); [2023](https://comtradeapi.un.org/public/v1/preview/C/A/HS?reporterCode=231&period=2023&partnerCode=706&cmdCode=TOTAL&flowCode=X,M)):

- **2019:** US$272.4 million
- **2021:** US$360.8 million
- **2022:** US$264.9 million
- **2023:** US$142.2 million

Imports from Somalia were small, about US$1.1 million in 2023 ([UN Comtrade, 2023](https://comtradeapi.un.org/public/v1/preview/C/A/HS?reporterCode=231&period=2023&partnerCode=706&cmdCode=TOTAL&flowCode=X,M)). In 2023, US$133.1 million of exports were in HS chapter 07, edible vegetables ([UN Comtrade, by chapter, 2023](https://comtradeapi.un.org/public/v1/preview/C/A/HS?reporterCode=231&period=2023&partnerCode=706&cmdCode=AG2&flowCode=X)).

Khat is the best-known good. Ethiopian khat is most popular in Somaliland and enters Somalia mainly over land ([Rift Valley Institute, 2020](https://riftvalley.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Khat-and-COVID-19-by-Sahra-Ahmed-Koshin-RVI-X-border-Project-2020.pdf)). Somaliland halted khat imports on 23 April 2020 during COVID-19 and lifted the ban in May 2020 ([Hiiraan Online, May 2020](https://www.hiiraan.com/news4/2020/may/178188/somaliland_puntland_lift_khat_import_ban_relax_covid_19_restrictions.aspx)). See [The khat trade](/en/economy/khat-trade/).

Livestock from Somali herders also crosses the border both ways, and the Berbera–Wajaale road is a main corridor for Ethiopian goods. See [Ethiopia–Somaliland border trade](/en/economy/ethiopia-somaliland-border-trade/).

**Companies:**

- **Ethiopian Airlines** flight ET 377 landed in Mogadishu on 9 November 2018, its first flight there in about 40 years ([Africanews, 11 November 2018](https://www.africanews.com/2018/11/11/ethiopian-touches-down-in-somalia-first-time-in-4-decades/)).
- **DP World Berbera:** in March 2018 Ethiopia acquired a 19% stake in Berbera port, with DP World at 51% and Somaliland at 30%; DP World planned to invest US$442 million there ([Arab News, 14 March 2018](https://www.arabnews.com/node/1265896)).

## How much aid and money has gone in?

Ethiopia is a neighbour that receives aid rather than a large donor. Its main contributions have been troops, hosting refugees and air links. Its largest public cost has been its forces in Somalia since 2006 (see below).

## What about security?

Ethiopian forces entered Somalia in 2006 at the request of the [Transitional Federal Government](/en/history/transitional-governments-2000-2012/) and completed their withdrawal in January 2009 ([Al Jazeera, 26 January 2009](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2009/1/26/ethiopia-completes-somali-pullout)). Ethiopian troops crossed into Somalia again in November 2011, and on 22 January 2014 about 4,000 of them, in three battalions, formally joined the AU mission [AMISOM](/en/institutions/amisom/) ([Arab News, 22 January 2014](https://www.arabnews.com/node/513386)). On 22 February 2025 the two defence chiefs agreed Ethiopia's role in the new mission AUSSOM and a Status of Forces Agreement for all Ethiopian forces in Somalia ([Fana, 22 February 2025](https://www.fanamc.com/english/defense-chiefs-of-staff-of-ethiopia-somalia-agree-on-force-disposition-of-endf-in-the-aussom)). For bases, numbers and operations see [Foreign forces in Somalia](/en/institutions/foreign-forces-in-somalia/).

## How does Ethiopia deal with Somaliland and the member states?

**Somaliland**

- Ethiopia ran a consulate general in Hargeisa until Somalia ordered it closed in April 2024 ([Al Jazeera, 4 April 2024](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/4/4/somalia-expels-ethiopian-ambassador-amid-somaliland-port-deal)).
- In March 2018 Somalia's lower house voted, with 168 of 170 members against the deal, to declare the DP World–Somaliland–Ethiopia Berbera deal "null and void" ([Arab News, March 2018](https://www.arabnews.com/node/1265896)).
- The January 2024 MoU covered access to Berbera and a leased military base on the Red Sea, with a stake in Ethiopian Airlines for Somaliland ([Al Jazeera, 1 January 2024](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/1/1/ethiopia-signs-agreement-to-use-somalilands-red-sea-port)). Al Jazeera later reported it as a 50-year lease of 20 km of coast ([Al Jazeera, 4 April 2024](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/4/4/somalia-expels-ethiopian-ambassador-amid-somaliland-port-deal)).
- Muse Bihi said Ethiopia would recognise Somaliland "in due course" ([Al Jazeera, 1 January 2024](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/1/1/ethiopia-signs-agreement-to-use-somalilands-red-sea-port)). VOA reported that it was unclear when the pact would take effect ([VOA Africa, 1 January 2024](https://www.voaafrica.com/a/ethiopia-signs-pact-to-use-somaliland-s-red-sea-port-/7420627.html)).
- On 7 January 2025 Somaliland's new foreign minister, Abdirahman Dahir Adan, said the new government had not seen the MoU and would review it; he said Ethiopia had at no point "explicitly committed to recognizing Somaliland" ([Garowe Online, 7 January 2025](https://www.garoweonline.com/en/news/somaliland/somaliland-reassesses-ethiopia-sea-access-deal-for-recognition)).
- Israel recognised Somaliland on 26 December 2025 ([Al Jazeera, 26 December 2025](https://aljazeera.com/news/2025/12/26/israel-becomes-first-country-to-recognise-somaliland)). Ethiopia's ambassador to Somalia said Ethiopia was watching the decision closely and had not taken a formal position ([Horn Diplomat](https://www.horndiplomat.com/?p=52791)).
- In August 2026 Somaliland and Ethiopia's Somali Region met in Hargeisa for a third dialogue on the Berbera corridor ([Dawan Africa](https://www.dawan.africa/news/somaliland-ethiopias-somali-region-seek-stronger-trade-along-berbera-corridor)).

**Puntland**

- Ethiopia ran a consulate general in Garowe, also ordered closed in April 2024 ([Al Jazeera, 4 April 2024](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/4/4/somalia-expels-ethiopian-ambassador-amid-somaliland-port-deal)).
- In April 2024 Ethiopia and Puntland agreed to deepen ties during a visit by a Puntland delegation led by its finance minister ([Fana](https://www.fanabc.com/english/?p=58916)).
- In July 2025 Puntland President [Said Abdullahi Deni](/en/people/said-abdullahi-deni/) prepared an official visit to Ethiopia to sign cooperation agreements ([AllAfrica, 15 July 2025](https://allafrica.com/stories/202507150393.html)).

**[Jubaland](/en/states/jubaland/)**

- Ethiopian troops serving outside the AU mission blocked Jubaland's first deputy president, Mohamud Sayid Adan, from entering [Beled Hawo](/en/regions/gedo/) in Gedo ([Garowe Online](https://www.garoweonline.com/en/news/somalia/somalia-jubaland-deputy-president-blocked-by-ethiopian-troops-in-gedo-as-madobe-demands-for-withdrawal)).

## Have there been disputes?

- **1964 border war:** fighting from January 1964 until the April ceasefire ([MIT CASCON](https://web.mit.edu/cascon/cases/case_sek.html)).
- **1977–1978 Ogaden war** ([ICRC](https://www.icrc.org/en/document/somalia-ethiopia-war-memory-prisoners)).
- **2006–2009 intervention:** Ethiopian troops entered at the request of Somalia's UN-backed government and faced attacks by al-Shabaab ([Al Jazeera, 2009](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2009/1/26/ethiopia-completes-somali-pullout)).
- **2024 MoU dispute:** Somalia called it "naked aggression" ([SONNA, 2 January 2024](https://sonna.so/en/somalia-recalls-its-ambassador-to-ethiopia-says-mou-with-somaliland-to-be-null-and-void)). Ethiopia said the deal was commercial and vital to its economy ([Al Jazeera, 4 April 2024](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/4/4/somalia-expels-ethiopian-ambassador-amid-somaliland-port-deal)). Hassan Sheikh said: "We want Ethiopia to have access to the sea... But grabbing a piece of land, we are not ready for that" ([Al Jazeera, 4 April 2024](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/4/4/somalia-expels-ethiopian-ambassador-amid-somaliland-port-deal)).
- **Ethiopian talks with Puntland** in 2024 added to tension with Mogadishu ([Al Jazeera, 4 April 2024](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/4/4/somalia-expels-ethiopian-ambassador-amid-somaliland-port-deal)).

## How many Somalis live in Ethiopia?

At the end of 2025 UNHCR counted 317,879 refugees and 43,993 asylum seekers from Somalia in Ethiopia ([UNHCR Refugee Data Finder API](https://api.unhcr.org/population/v1/population/?limit=200&yearFrom=2020&yearTo=2025&coo=SOM&coa=ETH)). See [Ethiopia (Somali refugees and the Somali Region)](/en/diaspora/ethiopia/).

## Where does Ethiopia stand in the UN and other bodies on Somalia?

- Ethiopia is a troop contributor to the AU missions: AMISOM from January 2014 and AUSSOM from 2025 ([Arab News, 2014](https://www.arabnews.com/node/513386); [Fana, 2025](https://www.fanamc.com/english/defense-chiefs-of-staff-of-ethiopia-somalia-agree-on-force-disposition-of-endf-in-the-aussom)).
- Both are members of IGAD, the African Union and the UN. IGAD welcomed the Ankara Declaration ([Addis Standard](https://addisstandard.com/igad-hails-ethiopia-somalia-ankara-agreement-as-diplomatic-milestone)).
- In 1964 Somalia sought emergency sessions of the UN Security Council and the OAU over the border fighting, without success ([MIT CASCON](https://web.mit.edu/cascon/cases/case_sek.html)).

## Related pages

- [Ethiopia (Somali refugees and the Somali Region)](/en/diaspora/ethiopia/)
- [The Ogaden war of 1977](/en/history/ogaden-war-1977/)
- [The 1982 Ethiopian–Somali border war](/en/history/ethiopian-somali-border-war-1982/)
- [Haud transfer 1954–1955](/en/history/haud-transfer-1954-1955/)
- [Islamic Courts Union 2006](/en/history/islamic-courts-union-2006/)
- [Foreign forces in Somalia](/en/institutions/foreign-forces-in-somalia/)
- [AUSSOM](/en/institutions/aussom/)
- [The khat trade](/en/economy/khat-trade/)
- [Ethiopia–Somaliland border trade](/en/economy/ethiopia-somaliland-border-trade/)
- [Somaliland 1991 to 2026](/en/states/somaliland-1991-to-2026/)
- [Hassan Sheikh Mohamud](/en/people/hassan-sheikh-mohamud/)
- [Siad Barre](/en/people/siad-barre/)
- [Muse Bihi Abdi](/en/people/muse-bihi-abdi/)

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