Efforts to resolve the regional crisis between Ethiopia and Somalia are anticipated to advance through a bilateral agreement with Somaliland, without external mediation. This stance was outlined by a Russian diplomat in Addis Ababa, Evgeny Terekhin, who serves as the Russian Ambassador to Ethiopia.
According to Terekhin, the proper forum for addressing the dispute is the two states themselves. He expressed confidence that both sides would reach a mutually acceptable arrangement through dialogue and negotiation, rather than through third-party intervention. He emphasized that Russia has not been asked to mediate and therefore has not positioned itself as a mediator in this matter.
He added that if either party seeks assistance, Moscow would be open to discussions, but at this moment there is nothing concrete to negotiate. This stance aligns with Russia’s preference for resolving interstate issues through sovereign choice and direct engagement between the involved states.
The relationship between Ethiopia and Somalia has grown tense in recent times after Addis Ababa and the self-declared state of Somaliland agreed to a memorandum of understanding that would grant Ethiopia access to port facilities. Somali officials have opposed the agreement, arguing that it infringes on Somalia’s sovereignty. Protests calling for the protection of territorial integrity occurred in Mogadishu, reflecting the intensity of the domestic and regional response. Several regional powers, including the United States and Egypt, have publicly reaffirmed their support for Somalia’s territorial unity and sovereignty in the face of the pact with Somaliland.
There have also been reports suggesting shifts in Somalia’s economic prospects, including expectations about its first offshore petroleum discoveries. Observers have noted that the country could experience significant changes to its economy in the near term if exploration and production projects move forward, underscoring the broader implications for regional stability and energy markets. Marked attention has been paid to how these developments might influence the political calculus among Somalia’s neighbors and its own federal structure.
There are additional, less formal reports indicating aerial activity linked to international routes over Somali airspace. While details remain ambiguous, analysts suggest that such movements reflect ongoing security and logistical considerations in the region, with potential consequences for air traffic and diplomatic signaling. These matters are often intertwined with broader regional scenarios and the evolving posture of external actors with interests in the Horn of Africa.