MOGADISHU (Dawan Africa) – Somali Foreign Minister Abdisalam Abdi Ali received the credentials of the new Ethiopian Ambassador, Suleiman Dedefo Woshe, on Monday at the Ministry’s headquarters in Mogadishu. The move marks the beginning of a new chapter in relations between the two neighboring countries.
“Foreign Minister Abdisalam Abdi Ali received the credentials of Ethiopia’s new Ambassador, Suleiman Dedefo Woshe, in Mogadishu,” the ministry said in a brief statement.
Ambassador Dedefo replaces Muktar Mohamed Ware, who was expelled by the Somali government in April 2024 following a major diplomatic fallout over a controversial agreement between Ethiopia and Somaliland. The deal had granted Ethiopia access to 20 kilometers of coastline in exchange for a possible recognition of the self-declared independent Republic of Somaliland — a move that was strongly rejected by Mogadishu.
The ambassador’s appointment comes just days after Somalia officially announced the end of its diplomatic rift with Ethiopia, following Turkish-mediated negotiations that aimed to restore bilateral ties.
The Somali Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the meeting as a sign of renewed commitment to diplomacy and regional cooperation. The arrival of the new ambassador is seen as a key opportunity to rebuild structured diplomatic engagement, with both sides expected to prioritize discussions on regional security, economic collaboration, and cross-border trade.
