Write by: Abdirashid Hashi

The talks were attended by Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, along with foreign ministers, intelligence chiefs, and other high-level government officials.

Key Observations:

1. Premeir Abiy Ahmed’s Speech:

Abiy delivered a tightly scripted speech, adhering closely to prepared remarks without deviating from the official narrative. His speech showcased Ethiopia’s consistent talking points and strategic framing of the situation.

2. President Hassan’s  Speech:

Prez Hassan Sheikh’s speech appeared more off-the-cuff, consulting notes or points intermittently. While it emphasized cooperation and mutual benefit, it failed to hammer home the critical issues central to Somalia’s position.

Analysis of PM Abiy’s Speech:

Prime Minister Abiy’s speech repeated Ethiopia’s long-standing narrative since its bid to annex Somali territory began on January 1, 2024. His framing of the situation included:

• Downplaying Aggression: He characterized the crisis as a “misunderstanding” rather than annexation, dismemberment, and sovereignty violations.

• Economic Justifications: Abiy framed Ethiopia’s desire for access to Somalia’s sea as an economic necessity rather than an aggressive demand, ignoring Somalia’s sovereignty.

• Family Framing: He dismissed the involvement of third parties, portraying the dispute as a “family quarrel,” despite Somalia’s classification of Ethiopia as an enemy state, akin to Al-Shabaab.

• Sacrifices of Ethiopian Troops: He highlighted the role of Ethiopian soldiers in Somalia under the guise of AU missions, despite allegations of Ethiopia’s destabilizing actions, including illegal arms smuggling and troop movements into Gedo.

Analysis of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s Speech:

In contrast, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s speech lacked a strong (actually any) emphasis on Somalia’s critical issues, such as sovereignty, international law, and Ethiopia’s history of aggression. Instead, it appeared to align with Ethiopia’s narrative, diluting Somalia’s position.

Quotes by Prez Hassan Sheikh That Weakened Somalia’s Core Position

• “Ethiopia and Somalia are two neighborly nations with many commonalities and very limited differences.”

• “Somalia will remain a true friend of Ethiopia and is ready to work together to benefit both our peoples.”

• “We recognize the sacrifices Ethiopian forces made in Somalia as part of AU peacekeeping missions.”

This approach undermined the messaging Somalia has consistently maintained, which portrays Ethiopia as a threat, and contradicted recent communiqués highlighting Ethiopia’s destabilizing actions in Somalia. 

States are inherently strategic, self-interested actors, and while President Hassan Sheikh may have sought reconciliation, such overt concessions are challenging to reconcile with the narrative Somalia has worked hard to communicate to its allies and citizens.

A Lesson in Diplomacy:

While Abiy’s speech displayed focused messaging and a high level of diplomatic skill, President Hassan Sheikh’s approach reflected a lack of preparation or consultation with experts. This laissez-faire or shall I call it “nomad diplomacy” risks undermining Somalia’s position on the global stage.

This critique is not intended to disparage the president but to highlight areas for improvement. As any expert who has reviewed the publicly available video will note, the Ethiopian side demonstrated deft strategic communications. 

Addressing these shortcomings openly is crucial for ensuring that future Somali leaders understand the value of expert input and disciplined messaging in advancing national interests.

Abiy’s speech earns an A for consistency and strategic framing, while our President’s performance, well … could have been better.